It was around this time one year ago that the seemingly impossible became possible when the Columbus Blue Jackets swept the Tampa Bay Lightning in the first round of the 2019 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
The Lightning, fresh off of a franchise-best 62-win season that tied the NHL record, 128 points, a goals for average of 3.89, and a President’s Trophy, entered the postseason as the one seed by a comfortable margin. They drew the Blue Jackets, a team that made a number of moves at the Trade Deadline but didn’t secure the second wild card spot until the final week of the season, as their first round opponent and seemed to be set up nicely for a deep run to the Final.