Matchup set: Lightning to face Rangers in conference finals
TAMPA, Fla. -- Hello again.
Don't you look familiar?
Storylines will be in ample supply when the Tampa Bay Lightning and New York Rangers meet in the Eastern Conference Finals. Of course, there's former Lightning captain Marty St. Louis returning to Tampa to try to keep his old team from reaching the Stanley Cup Final. But also current Lightning staples such as Ryan Callahan, Brian Boyle and Anton Stralman will face their former New York mates.
This represents the first trip to the Eastern Conference Finals for the Lightning since 2011, when they lost to the Boston Bruins in seven games. It's Tampa Bay's third appearance in the conference finals, following berths during their Stanley Cup season in 2004 and the 2011 showing.
The Lightning enter tested after a seven-game series against the Detroit Red Wings in the first round and a six-game series against the Montreal Canadiens in the Eastern Conference semifinals. Tyler Johnson leads Tampa Bay with eight goals and 12 points in the playoffs. Nikita Kucherov follows with six goals and 11 points. Steven Stamkos has three goals and 10 points.
The Rangers, meanwhile, have advanced after beating the Pittsburgh Penguins in five games and the Washington Capitals in seven.
"It's exciting," Stamkos said Tuesday. "I've always talked about 2011 was the most fun I've ever had playing this game, Obviously, I want a little better result this time. But this group has been resilient all year."
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You can follow Andrew Astleford on Twitter @aastleford or email him at aastleford@gmail.com.
