Lightning's 2019 playoff loss to Blue Jackets 'created a monster,' ex-NHL coach says

Fox News Flash top headlines are here. Check out what's clicking on Foxnews.com.

Former NHL coach John Tortorella is taking some credit for the Tampa Bay Lightning’s recent stretch of success in the Stanley Cup playoffs.

The Lightning entered Game 5 of the Eastern Conference final against the New York Rangers after being down 2-0 in the series and tying things up with the Rangers Tuesday. 

The Lightning have won two straight Stanley Cup championships and are looking for a third.

Pierre-Luc Dubois (18) of the Columbus Blue Jackets and David Savard (58) of the Columbus Blue Jackets celebrate with goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky (72) after defeating the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game 4 of the first round of the NHL's Eastern Conference playoffs April 16, 2019, at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. (Jamie Sabau/NHLI via Getty Images)

In 2019, Tortorella was the coach of the Columbus Blue Jackets when they upset Tampa Bay with a stunning sweep in the playoffs. Tampa Bay had finished with a franchise-record 128 points that season.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

Tampa Bay got revenge on the Blue Jackets the following year.

"We created a monster," Tortorella told The Athletic.

Since then, Tampa Bay has won 10 consecutive playoff series.

Andrei Vasilevskiy (88) of the Tampa Bay Lightning keeps loose during a stoppage in play in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference first round of the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs April 16, 2019, at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. (Kirk Irwin/Getty Images)

RANGERS MAY HAVE CONFLICT SHOULD LIGHTNING SERIES GO SEVEN GAMES

"I don’t think it was X's and O's. I think it was a mindset. That (2019) Lightning team was all-world when they came into the playoffs, and I don’t think they