NHL Playoffs: Lightning vs. Blue Jackets Game 4 preview, stream, start time, TV channel and more

NHL Playoffs: Lightning vs. Blue Jackets Game 4 preview, stream, start time, TV channel and more.

Tampa looks to carry momentum into Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs against Columbus.

The Lightning regained the series lead in Game 3 after an impressive 3-2 win over the Blue Jackets Saturday night. Going into their game on Monday, they look to win consecutive games in the series, something the Blue Jackets have yet to accomplish.

The Bolts had every opportunity to take full control of this series, but due to some lopsided officiating, as well as a possible hangover from the 5OT Game 1, they have failed to capitalize. Historically, Game 3 is one of the most important games within a seven-game series. Numbers don’t lie. NBCSN made it a point to mention during the telecast Saturday that 67 percent of teams that win Game 3 end up winning the series.

Let’s hope that’s the case for the Lightning, who don’t have a good track record with the Blue Jackets. As many Lightning fans try to forget, last season Columbus swept the Lightning, 4-0, in the 1st round of the playoffs. An uncomfortable memory that the Lightning and their fans carry with them leading into this playoff series. If the Lighting want to continue their winning ways, they should continue their presence in the low slot, disrupting the vision of goaltender Joonas Korpisalo. The Lightning failed to do that in Game 2, which resulted in Korpisalo accumulating 31 saves on 34 shots.

The Lightning also failed to get shots through traffic, something that’s been a constant factor throughout the series. The notion of Columbus racking up high block totals is nothing new and is a common staple on any team coached by John Tortorella. The Blue Jackets blocked a total of 34 shots despite falling short in the goal column.

How about those penalties. It is no secret that the Lightning have had their fair share of issues with penalties. The Lightning were 2nd most penalized team along side the Washington Capitals during the regular season. The long pause and restart seems to have not changed that habit. The Lightning were on the penalty four times in Saturday’s game, three of those coming within the first 10 minutes. In this respect, the Lightning have played with their fair share of fire, and if they continue to do so, they will eventually get burned.

Let’s not fall asleep on Columbus. The Columbus Blue Jackets have done an incredible job disrupting the flow of the Lightning’s offense. Columbus has racked up 107 blocked shots in just three games, rendering Tampa’s high-powered offense mostly ineffective. If there’s one thing Coach Tortorella should convey to his team going into Game 4, it is, do not change a thing. The Blue Jackets have been relentless in their defensive effort while striking right back with a counter-punch once giving a goal. This is a team that knows that they can hang with the “best of the best” on the other side of the bench.

Ultimately, if Tampa expects to win consecutive games, then they must divulge from their usual plan against the Blue Jackets, something teams coming off a win aren’t accustomed to.

How to watch Lightning vs. Blue Jackets Game 4

Date: Monday, August 17.

Start Time: 3:00p.m. ET

Location: Scotiabank Arena, Toronto, Ontario Canada

TV Info: NBCSN, SUN, FS-O, Sportsnet (Canada), TVAS (Canada)

Live Stream: NBC Sports Gold | Fubo TV. | SportsNet Now (Canada)