COLUMBUS (AP) — The Blue Jackets made history, sweeping the mighty Tampa Bay Lightning out of the playoffs in four straight games.
Tuesday’s 7-3 win capped the CBJ’s first playoff series win on its fifth try.
The Blue Jackets did it in dominating fashion, ousting a team that had put together one of the most prolific scoring lineups ever.
Tampa Bay became the first team in the expansion era to get swept in the first round of playoffs after leading the NHL in points. The Lightning tied the NHL record with 62 regular-season wins.
The Blue Jackets, meanwhile, didn’t clinch the second Eastern Conference wild-card spot until the 81st game. But they outplayed the Lightning with a smothering forecheck and stellar goaltending by Sergei Bobrovsky.
Columbus advances to play the winner of the Boston-Toronto series, which the Maple Leafs lead 2-1.