Odds of Lightning Advancing in First-Round Listed at -175 After Game 1 Loss to Blue Jackets

• The Tampa Bay Lightning were almost guaranteed by the books to get out of the first round
• They were stunned in Game 1 by the Columbus Blue Jackets
• Did CBJ expose a weakness? Or is the series still Tampa’s?

If this were the NFL, the Tampa Bay Lightning would be calling this over-reaction Monday.

On the opening night of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, in the first game, the best team in the league shot out to a 3-0 lead in the first period. Two hours later, they had lost 4-3.

So now we’re left to wonder: is this a blip on the radar, or can the Columbus Blue Jackets really pull this off?

Tampa Bay Lightning vs Columbus Blue Jackets Series Odds

*Odds taken 04/11/2019

Before the loss, Tampa’s opening NHL Playoff Series odds were -340. Now that series odds have re-opened those odds have faded to -175.

Behold, my probably-terrible Stanley Cup playoff bracket! pic.twitter.com/0W7dl2qAOg

— Matt Larkin (@THNMattLarkin) April 10, 2019

If the series had opened this way, the Lightning would drop from the most likely to move on, to only third most likely in the odds.

2019 Stanley Cup Odds

*Odds taken 04/11/2019. 

Tampa’s spot at the top of the Stanley Cup odds is unchanged. There was just a slight correction. They opened the playoffs at +225 and that number has only slightly adjusted to +250.

Lightning Didn’t Lose Often This Year

The Lightning didn’t lose often this season. Between regulation and overtime, it happened 20 times to be exact.

They also didn’t let things spill over to the following game.

Following a Tampa Bay Lightning Loss

In a seven game series, the key is bouncing back. Fall behind 2-0 and it could put you in a tough spot.

Fortunately for Tampa, they lost just twice in those 20 games following a loss. In 14 of those 20 games, they managed to score at least four goals.

Cooper on the loss in game one, “Our biggest foe last night was us.”

— Caley Chelios (@CaleyChelios) April 11, 2019

They played the Blue Jackets twice following a loss. They beat them 8-2 in October and 4-0 in January.

Should Blue Jackets Playoff History Factor In?

Under John Tortorella, the Columbus Blue Jackets don’t have a lengthy, or promising playoff history.

In his first series with the Jackets, Tortorella’s team scored two goals in the first two games. They would lose the series in five.

Last year they got off to a promising start. They took the first two games from the Washington Capitals.

But…you know what happened after that.

Blue Jackets 2018 Series vs Capitals

Losing that series dropped Tortorella-coached teams to a 5-3 record when winning Game 1 of a series. A majority of that success came when Tortorella coached the Tampa Bay Lightning to their only Stanley Cup.

Bobrovsky has been a totally different player in the 2nd period the puck is following him like its zach boychuk I bet John Tortorella screamed his god damn face off at him in intermission until his banana republic slacks were covered in sweat. Columbus competing better here

— Big Heat (@DanyAllstar15) April 11, 2019

Now he’s got to figure out a way to shut them down for three more games.

Are the Blue Jackets Worth Betting?

Yes…but do so at your own risk.

The old adage is that you’re never in trouble until you lose at home in the playoffs. We’re not saying the Lightning are in trouble, and you just made the most dangerous team in the league really, really motivated.

John Tortorella's fiery expletive-filled pep talk was the best Blue Jackets moment in comeback win https://t.co/Pkdfl1TCiJpic.twitter.com/E6lvZCivZP

— For The Win (@ForTheWin) April 11, 2019

Also, that means we still have to see how Tampa looks when things shift back to Columbus.

But don’t ignore the fact that the Blue Jackets were one of the best teams in the NHL from March onward.

It’s a monumental task that faces them. But for the Jackets, it’s one down, three to go.