Kamloops native Riley Nash says it was a roller-coaster ride of emotions in the five-game series win over Toronto (Image Credit: NHL)

By Chad Klassen

NHL PLAYOFFS

Kamloops’ Nash reflects on ‘wild series’ against Toronto, looks ahead to rematch with Lightning

Aug 10, 2020 | 12:54 PM

KAMLOOPS — Riley Nash couldn’t believe what happened in Game 4 against Toronto.

He wasn’t alone in that disbelief. His Columbus Blue Jackets were ahead 3-0 with 3:55 left in the third period of Game 4. The series was essentially wrapped up. Columbus was moving on. However, the Leafs had different plans and stormed back to win the game in overtime.

“We were watching a bit of it the next day and you still think it’s going to be a different result,” said Nash, who was on the ice when Auston Matthews scored the OT winner to extend the series to five games. “It was a wild series.”

The Leafs’ historic comeback came a night after the Blue Jackets pulled off similar magic, down 3-0 and scoring four unanswered to win Game 3 and take a 2-1 series lead.

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“After Game 3 when we had the comeback, you’re obviously feeling pretty good. Thought we played a really good second half of that game. Then you ride that into Game 4 where we played really well for 55 minutes, and then they have an unbelievable comeback. It’s almost like stunning. You don’t really believe it.”

However, like they’ve done all year, the Blue Jackets picked up their socks and went back to playing their tight-checking game. They shut out the Leafs for the second time in the series to earn the right to move on.

“I think it says a lot about our leadership crew and the guys,” noted Nash. “All year, we’ve been counted out. We weren’t supposed to make the playoffs. We probably had eight or nine guys hurt at one time, and so it jsut seems like this group when it gets really tough we kind of band together and are able to find a way to get it done.”

The gritty series win over Toronto sets up Nash and the Blue Jackets against Tampa Bay. It was last spring when Columbus stunned the hockey world by sweeping the Presidents’ Trophy-winning Lightning.

“It’s going to be another fun series. There’s some bad blood, there’s some rivalry, and that’s what the playoffs are all about,” said Nash. “So it shouldn’t be too hard to get up for these games in this series.”

Nash says the Blue Jackets shut Tampa Bay down with their stifling defense. It’s the blueprint they used to contain the Leafs’ Big Three of Matthews, John Tavares and Mitch Marner. They were held to a combined 13 points in five games.

“The series against Toronto, when we were hard on pucks, when we were aggressive, forechecking, I think that’s when we had our most success,” he said. “Not giving them a whole lot of time and space. They had a ton of talented players. Just be on our toes and not let the other team dictate the style of play.”

Nash knows the Lightning will be out for some revenge.

“I’m sure they’re licking their chops, getting another crack at us. It’s going to be a fun series. We get an opportunity to back up what we did last year.”