1. As an underdog with much less star power, you rarely get two goal leads, so Columbus blowing two of them in three games is them essentially digging their own grave. Even doing so, they managed to erase a two goal lead in Game 2, which is the reason they're still in the series. As deflating as their Game 3 loss would have been, the Blue Jackets need to have a short memory and refocus. The best thing they can do is put the pressure on Pittsburgh, and the series being tied at two after four games might start to tilt the pressure in their direction. I doubt they'll win three straight games, including two in Pittsburgh, so Columbus needs to win Game 4.
2. The Blue Jackets played a solid 1st period at 5 vs 5 when they could stay out of the box, but they were dominated for much of the final 40 minutes. You could kind of see the collapse coming, though I think Columbus probably would have won if they didn't allow a goal with a second left in the 2nd period. That Brooks Orpik goal was killer.
3. Pittsburgh made a heavy push in the final three minutes of the 2nd in effort to get within a goal heading into the 3rd. It took them down to the final tick, but they managed to do it, and I think that was the difference in the game. Had Columbus weathered that storm, I think we'd have seen a much different 3rd period.
4. I think Columbus can play with Pittsburgh, and one of the reasons they were outshot so significantly is due to taking six minor penalties, but I wonder if they can still win this series. Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin have yet to score and make the impact we all know they're capable of, and it's only a matter of time before they do. If/when they get rolling, the Blue Jackets could be in trouble.
5. Jack Johnson scored once again which is all well and good, but he didn't play very well last night. He went up primarily against Crosby's line, and though Crosby didn't score, Johnson was hemmed in his own zone much more often than not. Johnson was on the ice for six shot attempts for, and 19 against.
6. Brandon Dubinsky continues to be a beast for the Blue Jackets. Columbus took 55% of the shot attempts when he was on the ice, despite him playing the toughest competition among Blue Jackets forwards. Not only that, but Dubinsky had two assists, played well on the penalty kill and was involved physically with five hits.
7. The penalty kill may have killed off all six Pittsburgh power plays, but the Jackets really need to stay out of the box. It's only a matter of team before Crosby, Malkin and co. break through.
8. Ryan Johansen continues to be unfazed by playoff hockey. He had an assist, quite a few scoring chances and a 55% Corsi rating as well. If only he were left handed, then he could have probably buried that puck in front of the net after Dubinsky pulled off that ridiculous toe-drag move.
9. Brandon Sutter was on the ice for four shot attempts for and 17 against, despite playing pretty soft competition. I don't think he's been very good in this series, and he's a guy the Blue Jackets should be able to exploit. You know who to target in Game 4, Todd.
10. The plan for Game 4: throw pucks on net; 20 shots on Fleury isn't enough.