Per la prima volta nella storia i campioni della regular season di NHL sono stati eliminati al primo turno dei playoff con un 4-0. I Columbus Blue Jackets ci hanno messo infatti quattro partite a far fuori i Tampa Bay Lightning, imponendosi con un perentorio 7-3 in gara-4. Nell'Ohio, la squadra di Kukan (in pista 18'59", -1) ha preso subito in mano il confronto con un doppio vantaggio trovato già al 3'48" ed ha dilagato nel finale.
Insieme ai Blue Jackets, che hanno superato il loro primo turno dei playoff dal loro arrivo nella lega nella stagione 2000-01, hanno passato i quarti della Eastern Conference anche i New York Islanders (con Sbisa in tribuna), vittoriosi per 3-1 (4-0 nella serie) sui Pittsburgh Penguins. Ad ovest gli Sharks di Meier (11'33", -1) si ritrovano invece con le spalle al muro, dopo il 5-0 subito a Las Vegas dai Golden Knights. La squadra del Nevada conduce infatti nella serie per 3-1.
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