Whatever else you want to say about this series, the Blue Jackets went down swinging. There is honor in that.
They weren’t supposed to be here. Not yet. Not like this.
Even the “smartest” money had this team another year away - at least - from playoff hockey. To make it in as the #3 seed? To go on a near record setting winning streak? To challenge the defending Stanley Cup Champions?
Nobody expected that.
They won at home on a night without their best defenseman and missing several of the veterans who had been expected to help get them over the top.