Trailing is troubling trend for Jackets
In a tightly contested best-of-seven series that’s tied after four games, three of which were decided after regulation, the Blue Jackets have led a total of 4 minutes, 43 seconds.
The entirety of that advantage came in Game 2, when the Jackets stormed back from a 3-1 deficit to seize a 4-3 edge.
With Game 5 on Saturday, does it matter that the Jackets hold a lead? It depends who you ask.
“Getting the lead and not playing from behind in playoff hockey is so crucial,” captain Nick Foligno said. “You’re able to get your game going and feel good about yourself. We really haven’t done that enough in this series, and hopefully it’s a good lesson for everybody in here.”
Coach John Tortorella downplayed its importance.
“I am not going to put an emphasis on, ‘You have to score the first goal,’ ” Tortorella said. “What if we don’t score the first goal? ‘Oh s---, we didn’t score the first goal — we’re done.’ No. You play the game and just go about your business.”
Added Tortorella: “We’re not going to blow up our game plan. We’re not going to get in a panic mode.”
The Jackets have consistently shown an ability to rally the past two months, and came back from 2-0 deficits in games 1 and 2 wins. In the regular season, they were 30-10-6 in games they scored first, 15-20-1 in games they didn’t.
“It wouldn’t hurt, right?” right wing Cam Atkinson said of getting the first goal. “It’d be nice to get on the scoresheet first, but we’re a resilient club and whatever happens, happens. We’re never out of the fight.”
Defenseman Zach Werenski said, “It’s a totally different feel” playing from behind.
“When you’re down, you take more chances and try to make more plays,” he said. “I feel like when we’re down, we’re trying to be on the attack at all times to get that lead back. When you’re up by a goal, it’s just making the right decisions. You still want to attack, but maybe you play a little smarter.”
Noted defenseman Ian Cole: “Every game they’ve scored the first goal and we’ve kind of been chasing it. For the most part, we’ve done a good job of staying consistent as far as how we want to play regardless of whether we’re up or down. But, certainly, scoring the first goal is huge in putting the pressure on them to have to score to catch up, instead of the other way around.”
Center Alexander Wennberg practiced Friday for the first time since suffering an upperbody injury in Game 1. Tortorella said he had no update on Wennberg’s status. Wennberg, who has missed three games, didn’t participate in line rushes.
“He looked great. He said he’s ready to go,” Atkinson said. “We’ll see what happens.” Trotz said left wing Andre Burakovsky, who hasn’t played the past two games because of an upper-body surgery, won’t return this series and will require minor surgery. … After going 4 for 8 on power plays the first two games of the series, the Jackets are 0 for 7 the past two games. The Capitals have scored at least one power-goal in every game. … Caps goalie Braden Holtby said many teammates were unaware of Alex Ovechkin’s guarantee that the Caps would win games 3 and 4, but added, “there was no other option.”