The Tampa Bay Lightning might be the hottest team in sports. Since being swept by the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2019, the Lightning have won two Stanley Cup titles and are well on their way to a potential third.
The Lightning swept the Presidents’ Trophy winner Florida Panthers to advance to their sixth conference final in the last eight years.
It wasn’t easy for the Lightning. In Game 4, the Lightning had two goals disallowed within a minute but they were able to rebound in the third period to score twice to seal the 2-0 win. Andrei Vasilevskiy stepped up once again as the defending Conn Smythe Trophy winner got 49 saves in the shutout.
Tampa Bay will play the winner of the Carolina Panthers and New York Rangers series and with at minimum three more days rest, the Lightning will be more refreshed and ready to go after another Stanley Cup Final berth.
The hockey world knows the Lightning are a great team but sweeping the Panthers was even impressive for them. And they took notice.
About Phillip Bupp
Producer/editor of the Awful Announcing Podcast and Short and to the Point. News editor for The Comeback and Awful Announcing. Highlight consultant for Major League Soccer as well as a freelance writer for hire. Opinions are my own but feel free to agree with them.
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