Since 1983, the Stanley Cup Playoffs has been the annual NHL championship, with the championship trophy being awarded to the playoff winner of the Cup Finals. Since the start of this season’s run, the Lightning has eliminated their 2019 Stanley Cup rival, the Columbus Blue Jackets, who they lost to early on in the championship. Not long after, the Boston Bruins and New York Islanders were defeated by the Lightning, leading to their Eastern Conference title win.