COLUMBUS, OH – APRIL 16: Artemi Panarin #9 of the Columbus Blue Jackets is congratulated by Josh Anderson #77 after scoring an empty net goal in Game Four of the Eastern Conference First Round during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Tampa Bay Lightning on April 16, 2019 at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. Columbus defeated Tampa Bay 7-3 to win the series 4-0. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images)
(Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images)It wasn't the ending anyone saw coming. And it certainly wasn't the ending anyone wanted. It was a season where a Stanley Cup parade in Tampa seemed inevitable. The best record in the NHL... by far. The team tied the all-time record for most wins in a season. And then Round 1 happened. A sweep. But not the sweep we expected. Should we have expected it?
This morning, the Tampa Bay Lightning offered this message to fans who were let down by how things turned out in the playoffs. They say they'll do all they can to ensure a better result in the 2019-2020 season.
