Keep the party going: Lightning keep growing with each series victory
TAMPA, Fla. -- They're no longer the young favorite trying to find their way. Instead, these Tampa Bay Lightning have become older before our eyes with series victories over the Detroit Red Wings and Montreal Canadiens.
They're no longer the unproven contender trying to navigate through the pitfalls that come with the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Instead, these Lightning are scarred, tested and ready for more.
Why stop here?
Why stop with a decisive 4-1 victory over the Canadiens on Tuesday night at Amalie Arena in Game 6 of their series in the Eastern Conference semifinals, a result that slammed the door on an Atlantic Division rival and dashed all doubt about if they could handle the pressure as a series frontrunner?
Why stop with those fist pumps from Steven Stamkos and Ondrej Palat after their second-period goals, the "CAR-EY!" chants that mocked the world's best goaltender and the screams of "We want the Cup!" from fans in the upper deck?
The Lightning will return to the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since 2011 and play either the New York Rangers or Washington Capitals. No matter what happens from here, though, their season should be considered a success.
They chased the ghosts from a first-round sweep last year. They stand a few feet taller after haunting two tradition-rich opponents this year.
But why end the party now?
"When you get challenged in the playoffs, you grow as a team," Lightning defenseman Anton Stralman said. "And I think we grew from that Game 7 against Detroit. We definitely learned a big lesson being up 3-0 here in this series, and I'm proud that we found a way to play really, really strong D tonight."
This night was impressive. This night was revealing of how much the Lightning have evolved in the past 13 games.
A lesser team would have wobbled at the knees after dropping the previous two games against the Canadiens. Instead, Tampa Bay prevented a Game 7 by cutting Montreal off at the kneecaps, as evidenced by a 3-0 lead at the second period's end and a 28-19 shot advantage at the final horn. The Lightning left no doubt.
There are multiple standouts to mention. Try winger Nikita Kucherov, who had two goals. Try Stamkos and Palat, who helped add to the Lightning's lead in the second period. Try goaltender Ben Bishop, who outplayed Carey Price with 18 saves. Try Tampa Bay's defensemen, who helped lock down Montreal's attack to contribute to the Lightning's best overall effort in this series. All this was done without gritty winger Ryan Callahan, who was out because of an emergency appendectomy performed Monday night.
"This was our Game 7," Stamkos said. "We had to have the same mentality as that series against Detroit."
Good thing, too, because that plane ride to Montreal for a Game 7 would have been as much of a joy ride as being hauled to a holding cell in a police cruiser.
The Lightning played like they wanted no part of using their passports again. The odds remained with them -- only four teams have overcome a 3-0 hole in NHL postseason history -- but Tampa Bay was wise not to poke fate with a wooden stick.
Afterward, Montreal coach Michel Therrien called his team mentally drained. The Canadiens played like it, and that development is as much a credit to the Lightning's pursuit as Montreal's inability to muster the energy necessary to force a return to the Bell Centre.
Finally, the Lightning choked the life from the Canadiens after racing to that 3-0 series lead. Tampa Bay, at some point, will be thankful for the experience of scuffling after earning such a large advantage.
This situation, learning how to close with a monster lead, served as one of the last frontiers for coach Jon Cooper's team. The Lightning learned the sour taste of a sweep last year because of Montreal. They learned the sweet sensation of rallying from behind this year because of Detroit. The perspective of how to develop a kill bite, gained against the Canadiens in this series, will benefit them as they continue their journey.
"I felt like our game was changing," Cooper said. "I was calm knowing these guys were going to come out there. There was a calmness about this game I had that I didn't have in the five games before."
He had reason to be calm. It has been fascinating to watch the Lightning grow. At each step, it has felt like they've built for something larger. They've advanced beyond trying to prove they belong as a contender. They've changed their identity multiple times in these playoffs: They've gone from a green favorite to a scrappy survivor in the Detroit series to a mature frontrunner against Montreal who learned how to close.
Why stop here?
"We didn't want to get on an airplane and go back to Montreal," Bishop said.
Message received.
Now it's time to do more.
You can follow Andrew Astleford on Twitter @aastleford or email him at aastleford@gmail.com.
