Funny how things turn out.
Of the five playoff series in Columbus Blue Jackets franchise history, this was undoubtedly supposed to be the toughest one. Despite being matched up with the President's Trophy winning Tampa Bay Lightning, the Blue Jackets were able to pull off something they'd never done before: they won a playoff series.
Hell, "won" may be an understatement. Their series sweep wasn't just unexpected, it was unprecedented. No team in NHL history had ever pulled off a first-round sweep against a President's Trophy winner. But that's the national narrative.
Locally in Columbus, just making it to the second round is the bigger story. Over the last few years, the Blue Jackets have played plenty of playoff thrillers, but until now, they'd never come out on top of a series.
Suffice to say, people are excited.
CONGRATULATIONS @BlueJacketsNHL!!!
— Kirk Herbstreit (@KirkHerbstreit) April 17, 2019
1st ever post season series win!!
Boys are playin so well & w/ such confidence!!
So happy for these AMAZING DIEHARD CBJ fans too. Grateful to be here for Game 3 and tonight Game 4!!
Onto ROUND 2!!
Lets keep it goin boys!! @NHL pic.twitter.com/t3UcbGdh4h
MOOD #CBJ pic.twitter.com/r8PaSj3Puk
— City of Columbus (@ColumbusGov) April 17, 2019
Very happy for all the trainers and staff of CBJ that work tirelessly day in and day out. Also, the fans of Columbus deserve this. Enjoy it and keep it going! #CBJ #NHLPlayoffs
— RJ Umberger (@Umby18) April 17, 2019
Foligno heads off the ice to room and says with authority 20 f**cking years coming #CBj
— Alison (@AlisonL) April 17, 2019
Im amazed. #CBJ pic.twitter.com/6cPoyGDVBq
— Joshua E Perry (@RIP_JEP) April 17, 2019
Whos next? #NHLPlayoffs #CBJ pic.twitter.com/aX0Kc7QQYE
— Urban Meyer (@OSUCoachMeyer) April 17, 2019
