The Columbus Blue Jackets -- whose name pays tribute to Ohio's substantial contributions to the Union army during the Civil War -- joined the NHL as an expansion franchise in 2000.

The Blue Jackets played their first 12 seasons as a member of the Western Conference, making their first foray into the Stanley Cup Playoffs in 2008-2009 led by All-Star winger Rick Nash and Rookie of the Year goaltender Steve Mason.

NHL realignment saw the team move to the Eastern Conference in 2013-2014, and the Blue Jackets have since collected six winning seasons and qualified for the Stanley Cup Playoffs five times. Columbus was one of just three teams to earn playoff berths in four consecutive seasons from 2016-2020, joining the Boston Bruins and Washington Capitals.

In 2018-2019, the eighth-seeded Blue Jackets faced off against the Presidents' Trophy-winning and top-seeded Tampa Bay Lightning in the first round of the playoffs. The Blue Jackets shocked the heavily-favored Lightning as they became the first team in NHL history to earn a four-game sweep in the first round of the playoffs against a team with the league's best regular-season record.

Columbus Blue Jackets Team Info

Conference: Eastern

Division: Metropolitan

Year Founded: 2000

Team Colors: Blue, Red, Silver, White

Team Rivals: Pittsburgh Penguins, St. Louis Blues, Nashville Predators

Columbus Blue Jackets at Nationwide Arena

The Columbus Blue Jackets have played at Nationwide Arena since their inaugural season in 2000. Located in the heart of The Arena District downtown, the arena features a 1857 Napoleon replica cannon that blasts when the Blue Jackets hit the ice at the start of the game, when they score, and at the end of the game following a Columbus win.