All we needed to do was win our final two games against weak sisters Chicago and Columbus and we were in, no matter what the Islanders and Panthers did.
Remember?
With a playoff berth virtually tucked in our hip pockets, we proceeded to poop the bed sheets, losing to the lowly Connor Bedard-less Blackhawks, 5-2, on home ice. Our playoff hopes scuttled, we fell in OT to the Blue Jackets two nights later.
The very next day the FSG axe lopped off the heads of GM Ron Hextall and POHO Brian Burke, setting in motion a tumultuous summer filled with turmoil and change.