What has to happen for the Blue Jackets to catch a break?
The shorthanded Jackets have lost nine in a row (0-7-2), tied for the longest win streak in franchise history, and the last two setbacks in Tampa Bay were marked by stretches of good play -- and bad breaks on two big goals.
In Thursday's series opener, goalie Elvis Merzlikins was hit in the helmet by a high stick moments before the Lightning scored the game-winning goal, leading to a protest from the CBJ netminder but a goal that stood because it couldn't be challenged.
Then in Sunday's finale, another bad break allowed the Lightning to score a key goal in the third period. Goalie Joonas Korpisalo suffered a lower-body injury with the team on the penalty kill and tried to fight through it, but he couldn't move over on a cross-ice pass, allowing Lightning rookie Alex Barre-Boulet to score his first career goal to tie the score at 3 in what would become a 4-3 overtime setback.