Lightning get rematch with Columbus in First Round

If the Tampa Bay Lightning are going to win the 2020 Stanley Cup, they'll have to overcome the team that swept them unceremoniously from the last playoffs.

And that chance for revenge will come quickly.

The second-seeded Lightning will take on the Columbus Blue Jackets in a First Round series starting this week after the Blue Jackets defeated Toronto 3-0 in Game 5 of the qualifying round Sunday night from Scotiabank Arena.

Columbus stunned Tampa Bay in the First Round last season, rallying from a 3-0 deficit to steal Game 1 in Tampa and outscoring the Lightning 15-5 in the three games to follow, an unlikely early exit for a Tampa Bay team that won the President's Trophy, tied the NHL regular season record for wins (62) and accumulated the highest point total (128 pts.) in the League since 1995-96.

Tampa Bay maintained its No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference after going 2-1-0 in the round robin, defeating Washington (3-2 S/O) and Boston (3-2) but falling in the finale 4-1 to Philadelphia Saturday, the Flyers earning the top seed via the win. Columbus was the No. 9 seed in the East entering the playoffs but pulled the mild upset over the home skating Maple Leafs.

Game 1 for the First Round Tampa Bay-Columbus series is Tuesday at 3 p.m. on NBCSN.

Tampa Bay is in the postseason for the third-consecutive season and sixth time in seven seasons. The Lightning have advanced to at least the Eastern Conference Final in three of the past five seasons.

Game 1 - Tues., 8/11 3 p.m.
Game 2 - Thurs., 8/13 3 p.m.
Game 3 - Sat., 8/15 7:30 p.m.
Game 4 - Mon., 8/17 3 p.m.
Game 5 - Wed., 8/19 (TBD)
Game 6 - Fri., 8/21 (TBD)
Game 7 - Sat., 8/22 (TBD)