After a year of turmoil, major trades, and a late season run to secure the 8th seed, the Columbus Blue Jackets finally began the 2019 Stanley Cup Playoffs, visiting the Tampa Bay Lightning. Heading into the game, pundits and national hockey commentators gave the Blue Jackets little chance of winning the series, with most predicting a gentleman’s sweep for the President’s Trophy holders.
Columbus came into the game with a dangerous offense and a suspect defense, missing Ryan Murray and Adam McQuaid. Up front, however, the Jackets boasted seven 20 goal scorers to counter the high flying Lightning.