Everyone says the Lightning aren't the same team from 2020/2021 — bravo, they aren't. Julien BriseBois changed everything after 2024.

To me, there's two Lightning teams to compare:

First Team (2018-2024):

• 2018 — Lost in conference finals after holding a 3-2 series lead (shutout games six & seven).

• 2019 — Lost in first round after dominating regular season.

Two extremely disappointing losses for a team with more to give; then,

• 2020 — Cup Champions

• 2021 — Cup Champions

• 2022 — Cup Finals

Julien BriseBois broke it all apart, trading Sergachev, signing Guentzel, letting Stamkos walk, etc., after two R1 exits.

Second Team (2025-present):

• 2025 — Lost in first round...felt pushed around, like they had more to give.

• 2026 — Lost in first round after dominating regular season.

Two extremely disappointing losses for a team with more to give; then,

....

————————————————————————

See the pattern?

Again, it's not time to break this down.

If it took two crushing postseason defeats for '20 & '21 team to finally become champions, then why are we panicking when this team takes two crushing defeats?

Just wait till next year, you'll see.