Pittsburgh were considered the favourites to win the series, but it was Columbus who would start the scoring in Game 1. Jack Johnson would beat Mar-Andre Fleury just over 6 minutes in to give the Blue Jackets a 1-0 lead. Both teams would swap goals late in the first. Columbus would open the second with a shorthanded goal, giving them a 3-1 lead. That didn't last long, as Pittsburgh scored 2 quick powerplay goals to tie the game up. Brandon Sutter would score midway through the third period to cap off the Penguins comeback and take Game 1. Pittsburgh would take the lead early in Game 2, and would end the first period up 3-1. Columbus would score in both the second and third period to force overtime. It took until the second overtime, but Matt Calvert would score, giving the Blue Jackets their first playoff game win in franchise history. Columbus kept their momentum going in Game 3, scoring twice in the opening 4 minutes. It wasn't until seconds left in the second period that the ¨Penguins would get on the board. Columbus would add one more early in the third, but Pittsburgh would be too much for Columbus to handle, as they scored 3 times to complete their comeback and take back the series lead. Just like in Game 2, Pittsburgh would end the first period of Game 4 up 3-1. And just like Game 2, Columbus would get goals in the second and third to tie the game. It didn't take long in overtime, as Nick Foligno would snap a long shot past Fleury, tying the series back up. Instead of a 3-1 lead being blown in Game 5, Pittsbrugh would win the game with that score (Columbus got a goal in the first, Pittsburgh with a goal in the second and 2 in the third). The Penguins looked to put the series away in Game 6, scoring twice in both the first and second periods. Columbus would fight back in the third, pulling the game to within 1. In the end the Blue Jackets could not get the tying goal, as Pittsburgh would end up the winners. The Penguins eliminated the Blue Jackets in 6 games.
Games
Columbus Blue Jackets 3
Pittsburgh Penguins 4
Columbus Blue Jackets 4 (2OT)
Pittsburgh Penguins 3
Pittsburgh Penguins 4
Columbus Blue Jackets 3
Pittsburgh Penguins 3
Columbus Blue Jackets 4 (OT)
Columbus Blue Jackets 1
Pittsburgh Penguins 3
Pittsburgh Penguins 4
Columbus Blue Jackets 3
Three Thoughts on the Series
- 3-1 leads are never safe (excluding game 5).
- Starting to think it might not just be Fleury that's the problem with Pittsburgh. This is the second year in a row that a weak first round opponent (sorry Islanders and Blue Jackets) has given them more of a challenge than they probably should be.
- The audio of Blue Jackets fans is never not awesome.
Ladies and Gentlemen, the leading* goal scorer of this series is...
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| (Image via NHL.com) |
*Ok, he was tied for the lead, it's still shocking though.
Highlight of the Series
How is it not Calvert's goal to give Columbus their first ever playoff win.
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