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.
Lightning sweep the Presidents' Trophy winning Panthers.
Will take a special team to push this Tampa team to the limit.
— James Mirtle (@mirtle) May 24, 2022
The Panthers scored 337 goals in the regular season, more than any team in the NHL since 1996-97, and won the Presidents' Trophy. They scored three goals against the Lightning in the second round and got swept.
— Nick Cotsonika (@cotsonika) May 24, 2022
The Lightning just won their 10th straight playoff series. And this one was a sweep. We are witnessing a true hockey dynasty! ⚡️
— Jamie Hersch (@JamieHersch) May 24, 2022
Here are how many goals the Lightning allowed in their 10 series-clinching wins, in order of oldest to newest:
4, 2, 1, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 1, 0 https://t.co/fP3LGPGoh0
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) May 24, 2022
Andrei Vasilevskiy on the @TBLightning defense in the series – "Boys literally break their bones to stop the puck. They played fearless." #GoBolts
— Kailey Mizelle (@KaileyMizelle) May 24, 2022
@TBLightning G Vasilevskiy is a living clutch legend ; including tonight, he has 6 Shutouts in last 7 series clinching games. 🔥 🥅.@espn @NHL #HockeyTwitter
— Kevin Weekes (@KevinWeekes) May 24, 2022