Another thought that should put Tampa Bay fans at ease: The issues allowing the Blue Jackets to rally from a 3-0 deficit by scoring four-consecutive goals were mostly a result of mistakes the Lightning made rather than adjustments Columbus produced that confounded the Bolts. Tampa Bay pressed too hard trying to light up the scoreboard holding a multiple goal advantage rather than protecting its lead and playing smart, defense-first hockey.
It's an error the Lightning don't plan on making again.
"We've just got to make those simple plays when they present themselves," Lightning defenseman Victor Hedman said. "Don't look for the B option or the C option. If the A option is there and he's got speed, you've got to give it to him. It's one of those things we'll fix tonight and we're looking forward to another game tonight. We just want to put that behind us, obviously left that game not feeling too great but today's a new day and you put that behind you and looking forward to tonight."
Special teams were a major letdown for the Lightning in Game 1 and contributed heavily to their defeat, surprising considering the Bolts owned a power play that not only led the NHL during the regular season but was one of the best power plays in NHL history, ranking 10th all-time. The penalty kill too was a difference maker for the Lightning in the regular season, finishing the regular season No. 1 in the NHL a season after limping to a 28th-place ranking in 2017-18.
Against Columbus, though, the Lightning power play failed to convert on a four-minute double minor to Brandon Dubinsky with about 10 minutes remaining and a golden opportunity to re-establish a multiple goal lead and put the game away. In the most pivotal moment, the Lightning couldn't get set up in the zone and then the unthinkable happened when a turnover led to a shorthanded rush that Josh Anderson was able to convert to tie the game with 8:08 remaining.
Moments later, Alex Killorn was whistled for high-sticking, giving Columbus a power play, which it converted on Seth Jones' open shot from the slot to complete the Blue Jackets' miraculous comeback.
A roughly two-minute horror show on special teams was enough to hand Game 1 to Columbus.
The Lightning have to be better in that regard in Game 2.