Lightning beat the Bruins, set Force 7 in East finals

Martin St. Louis and Teddy Purcell each marked twice, resilient goalie Dwayne Roloson, that survived a by Boston David Krejci hat-trick, and the Tampa Bay Lightning stayed alive in the Conference finals with a 5-4 win on the Boston Bruins in game 6 isWednesday night.

Game 7 is Friday night in Boston. The Bruins are seeking their first trip to the final of the Stanley Cup in 21 years, and the lightning will attempt to win their first appearance on stage of hockey, since they won their only NHL championship in 2004.

The West Vancouver Canucks Conference champion await the winner in the final.

St. Louis also assisted on a goal in the third period as the lightning up 4-2. His second goal - and NHL-leading 10th of the playoffs - restored lead to two goals for Tampa Bay after from Boston in 4-3 on a two goal Krejci to keep the Bruins within striking distance in the minutes of the fence.

Roloson, who has not played in the fifth game after firing two of the previous three games because of the inefficiency, also gave up a pair of goals in the first period and ended with 16 cases.

Boston Tim Thomas waived another goal at the start, and then lutté after Krejci and Milan Lucic marked to give the Bruins a 2-1 with a single period advance.

The lightning took control when St. Louis, Purcell and Steven Stamkos: goals power play in a time of 12 minutes of the second and third periods.

Roloson improved to 7-0 in the games of elimination throughout his career, including 4-0 this postseason. Lightning rallied from a 3-1 deficit to beat Pittsburgh in the first round, with their old guard of 41 whitening the Pittsburgh Penguins in game 7 on the road.

Tampa Bay Guy Boucher coach donna backup goalie Mike Smith his first career playoff start, Monday night saying: he felt Roloson - including mid-season acquisition was one of the keys to Tampa Bay becoming a competitor - needed a packaging "with" after the start of the first 15 playoff of lightning.

Smith stopped 17 of 19 shots in the loss of the fifth game however, Boucher did not hesitate to return to Roloson with lightning to elimination.

"Personally, I don't like the word despair." ... For me, it's just another game, "Roloson said following lightning Skate Wednesday morning." "You need to focus on your work."

Coach of Boston that Claude Julien said his team will play its best game of the series to get and the Bruins had certainly to have doubts about how the night could go when Vincent Lecavalier won a commitment in the right circle and Purcell scored the Tampa Bay opening shot.

Lucic countered for Boston less than seven minutes later with a shot of the location which exceeded Roloson of the wrist. Third goal of the Krejci of the series, after taking a nice pass setbacks of as well as advice from Daniel Paille, gives the Bruins ahead by 2-1 with 3: 30 remaining in the first period.

But an inability to take advantage of three power mopped plus-pièces Boston in the second period when Tampa Bay, who had no part in man-advantage since game 2 situations, converted three in 12 minutes to regain the lead for good.

St. Louis, edge Bruins Lightning, force game 7

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TAMPA, Fla. -- When the Tampa Bay Lightning are in a pinch, they know where to turn for leadership.

Martin St. Louis delivered inspiring pregame words in the locker room, then took the ice and scored two goals to help his team stay alive in the Eastern Conference finals with a 5-4 win over the Boston Bruins in Game 6 on Wednesday night.

"He's the heart and soul of our team," rising young star Steven Stamkos said of St. Louis, a six-time All-Star who is one of three players remaining on the roster from Tampa Bay's only Stanley Cup championship team from seven years ago.

"He's the first guy to step up and get the guys going. He's obviously been through every type of experience and every single type of championship you could win, he's been there. He's won individual awards. He's won the Stanley Cup and he's always been a big part. He knows what to do and how to react in those situations. He stepped up before the game and said a few words, and just the respect he has from every single guy on the team, we take it to heart. ... He's been our go-to guy, and he was again."

Teddy Purcell also scored twice and resilient goalie Dwayne Roloson weathered a hat trick by Boston's David Krejci to force Game 7 in Boston on Friday night.

The Bruins are seeking their first trip to the Stanley Cup finals in 21 years, and the Lightning will try to clinch their first appearance on hockey's biggest stage since they won their title in 2004.

The Western Conference champion Vancouver Canucks await the winner.

"We knew it was going to be a long series. ... Comes down to one game. Luckily and fortunately, all our team has been through a Game 7," St. Louis said. "Some of us have played more, but we've had that experience. So we know what to expect. The fourth win is always the toughest one to get and we know both teams will battle hard to get it."

St. Louis also assisted on a third-period goal that put the Lightning up 4-2. His second goal -- and NHL-leading 10th of the playoffs -- restored Tampa Bay's two-goal lead after Boston pulled within 4-3 on one of two goals Krejci scored to keep the Bruins within striking distance in the closing minutes.

Roloson, who didn't play in Game 5 after being pulled from two of the previous three games because of ineffectiveness, also gave up a pair of first-period goals and finished with 16 saves.

Boston's Tim Thomas gave up another early goal, then struggled after Krejci and Milan Lucic scored to give the Bruins a 2-1 lead through one period.

The Lightning took control when St. Louis, Purcell and Stamkos scored power-play goals within a 12-minute span of the second and third periods.

"The fourth win, they don't give it to you, as we learned once again. Not that we were looking for them to give it to us. It's just more proof that's the way it goes," said Thomas, who stopped 21 shots after a superb performance in Game 5 moved the Bruins within one victory of their first Stanley Cup finals appearance since 1991.

"It all comes down to one game now," Boston center Patrice Bergeron said. "So it's about making sure we're keeping our chins up and heads up and make sure we're ready for that game."

Roloson improved to 7-0 in elimination games during his career, including 4-0 this postseason. The Lightning rallied from a 3-1 deficit to beat Pittsburgh in the first round, with their 41-year-old goalie shutting out the Penguins in Game 7 on the road.

Tampa Bay coach Guy Boucher gave backup goalie Mike Smith his first career playoff start Monday night, saying he felt Roloson -- whose midseason acquisition was one of the keys to Tampa Bay emerging as a contender -- needed a "breather" after starting the Lightning's first 15 postseason games.

Smith stopped 17 of 19 shots in the Game 5 loss, however Boucher didn't hesitate to go back to Roloson with the Lightning facing elimination.

Boston coach Claude Julien said his team would need to play its best game of the series to clinch it, and the Bruins certainly had to have some doubt about how the night might go when Vincent Lecavalier won a faceoff in the right circle, and Purcell scored on Tampa Bay's opening shot.

Lucic countered for Boston less than seven minutes later with a wrist shot from the slot that got past Roloson. Krejci's third goal of the series, after he took a nice backhand pass from along the boards from Daniel Paille, gave the Bruins a 2-1 lead with 3:30 remaining in the first period.

But an inability to take advantage of three more power plays caught up with Boston in the middle of the second period when Tampa Bay, which hadn't scored in man-advantage situations since Game 2, converted three within 12 minutes to regain the lead for good.

"We've been able to bounce back, but it's going to be our toughest challenge. We need to put together a full 60 minutes and that's going to be important going into the next game," Lucic said.

"You have a chance to close it out and you don't do it, being up 3-2 you get another chance," Lucic added. "You've got to be excited for it, you've got to enjoy it and you've got to be looking forward to that challenge, because for almost all of us it's the biggest game of our careers. You've got to go out there, have fun and have no regrets."

Game notes
Purcell's quick goal marked the fourth time in the series a team scored less than two minutes into a game. ... The Lightning played without injured LW Sean Bergenheim, who began the night with a league-leading nine goals during the playoffs after scoring 14 during the regular season. He missed the last two periods of Game 5 with an undisclosed injury. ... The Bruins, 1 for 5 on the power play, had 15 straight advantages without a goal when Krejci trimmed Tampa Bay's lead to 4-3 midway through the third period. It was also Boston's first power-play goal on the road during the playoffs. The Bruins entered the game 0 for 21.

Copyright by STATS LLC and The Associated Press

Bruins to beat Lightning 3-1 to lead 3-2 in the East

 Brad Marchand was sitting on the bench when he saw Steve Downie of Tampa Bay get the puck on the crease, with nothing else that a net empty to shoot.

"I thought sure he was going to be a goal," said Bruins forward. "Those are usually pretty easy to tap-ins."

Instead, Tim Thomas at the rear and to deflect the puck with the lower edge of the stick as the blade bounced off the coast of the goal post, protect a late lead a goal in the 3-1 victory against Boston's Lightning Monday night.

"He has done a few efficient game stops," Bruins of Adam McQuaid said. "It is what you should leave your goalie, especially at this time of year." I saw the replay on TV. It was incredible. He stole one. It was a game-Eve. ?

The victory gave Boston a 3-2 lead in the East-of-seven Conference finals and a chance to reach the final of the Stanley Cup with a victory in game 6 in Tampa on Wednesday.

"We are a victory away", said Thomas. "But this is not what we need to focus on.". What we need to focus on the cheek this next game as good as we can and try to get a victory. ?

Thomas rebounded to a collapse in game 4, 33 shots to stop after he renounced another early goal - none is greater than to Downie with about 11 minutes left. Nathan Horton related, Marchand scored the game-winner and Rich Peverley empty-netter was the tire.

Goalkeeper Lightning Tampa Bay Mike Smith pounces on the puck, as it is a record after losing his stick in the first period against the Boston Bruins in the fifth game of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup final the Eastern Conference playoffs, Boston lundi23 may 2011. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa) Close

"Our goal is now not to play a game 7, said Bruins coach Claude Julien." It will take our best game. ?

Tampa Bay is facing elimination for the fourth time in these playoffs, after the delay the Penguins 3-1 in the first round. The lightning would win game 6 to force a decisive game in Boston on Friday.

"Our backs were against the front wall against Pittsburgh," said before Ryan Malone. "We will not be able to win two matches in a single match." If you try to go over there, worry about the first five minutes of game and you take it from there. ?

Tampa Bay finally managed to bring his goaltender with 42 seconds, but Peverley scored an empty-netter with 12.1 seconds to go. Lightning left the extra skater on the bench for the engagement that followed, but they could not come from no more than a few shoved after the final whistle.

Thomas rebounded after allowing four consecutive goals in game 4 and may have saved the season when he stopped Downie on the edge of the crease. The crowd cheered whenever he showed a different angle on the dashboard, and Thomas could even be seen to smile through his mask when the camera is cutting him.

"It's just a confident swagger." It has certainly a who, "Said Bruins attacking Chris Kelly." "It's a game." You have to have fun with it. This is a great opportunity for us all. If you're not going to benefit, you may regret it. ?

Boston managed only 19 shots on Mike Smith, as he made his first career series start place of Dwayne Roloson.

He did not expect to play, said Smith.

"I said to myself that Rollie would return to", he said. "He also made the whole series." I was ready to go if called. Rollie was great, he has been here and to do so, and advice he gives me are stuff I just suck like a sponge. "Obviously, it is a great mentor".

Two nights after Tampa Bay rallied with five goals in a row to overcome a 3-0 deficit to win game 4, Boston simply aim of Simon won only 69 seconds in and staged a return of its own.

Tab Smith lightning as guardian of the fifth game against the Bruins

BOSTON - Coach Lightning of Tampa Bay Guy Boucher chose Mike Smith as goalkeeper start against the Boston Bruins for the fifth game of the Eastern Conference finals Monday.

Dwayne Roloson was shot with 2: 04 left in the first period of game 4 last Saturday after having given up three goals on nine shots. Smith came in relief and did not allow a goal as the entry of lightning return to beat the Bruins 5-3. The series-of-seven is related to the 2.

Signals had pointed to Roloson from its 16th straight postseason competition. He was the first of the two guardians of Tampa ice Monday, an indicator that-General begins.

Roloson was also shot in game 2 when the Bruins poured him five goals in the second period en route to a 6-5 victory that these objectives could hardly be blamed on the goalie.

Smith came in relief twice and has yet to allow a Bruins goal in a little more of three periods of action.

Thomas stifles lightning to give Bruins from 2-0 Lead

 Guards and defence eventually prevailed and the Boston Bruins took full advantage.

Tim Thomas made 31 saves for his first postseason shutout that this season and second, Andrew Ference and David Krejci marked and the pace of Bruins the Lightning Tampa Bay 2-0 Thursday night to take a lead of 2-1 in the final of the Eastern Conference.

"Tonight's game probably looked much more than that I think that everyone expects this series, two teams that made it difficult for you to score," said Bruins coach Claude Julien. "I thought that our team was very good for that." We have some strong pieces and make better decisions and seemed a little more aware there of what was going on. Comparing it to the last game, where I found enough it sloppy, I thought that we bounced well. ?

Thomas and Tampa Bay Dwayne Roloson entered the series as the top two playoff goalies this season. And then, surprisingly, the teams combined for 18 goals in the first two games.

"That felt more like a normal game", said Thomas. "That felt like the game played us most of the season." Series are always faster and more energy and a few chances of scoring more than a regular season game, but that was the Boston Bruins hockey.

The lightning scored five times in the previous two games, but a lack of traffic of Thomas helped prevent a performance yet.

The Boston Bruins goalie Tim Thomas blocked a shot by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the second period of game 3 hockey NHL final playoff round of the Stanley Cup is on Thursday, May 19, 2011 Conference, in Tampa, Florida

"Offensively, I don't feel that we have paid the price," Lightning right said Martin St. Louis.

Ference was 2 - 0 at 8: 12 of the third shot point that followed between the legs of the Roloson and into the net.

"We are not a big on talk of buying the team, we just, buy" Conference said.

Game 4 is Saturday in Tampa.

"He got an error here and there," said Lightning coach Guy Boucher. "Their goalie is will still be grand and ours, too." It is going to descend to these, a small detail that will make the difference. ?

Boston received a lift with the return of Patrice Bergeron after he missed two games because of a concussion sustained when he was hit by Claude Giroux of Philadelphia in the last game of the second round.

"I thought that I remained fairly positive in the process," said Bergeron. "It's behind me." I am pleased. ?

While Bergeron has added to his two goals and 10 assists in 11 games this year before the injury, the alternate captain made his presence felt on faceoffs, winning 18 of 28.

"You could see the difference it makes," said Julian. "I really liked the way he played." His line was certainly better, and that certainly helped us. ?

"He is back and he has certainly made a difference for us, as he always does, and it was this whole series," added Thomas. "It was one, otherwise, the best player on our team."

Rookie Tyler Seguin Bruins, who had three goals and three decisive passes in the first two games, took place off the record. After sitting on the first two rounds, the Seguin of 19 years has been inserted in the range to replace Bergeron in game 1 and has seven points overall.

Krejci was alone in the low slot and has opened the scoring on a backhander just 1: 09 in the first. Boston is 7-0 during the playoffs when scoring the first goal of the game.

"Getting certainly allowed rapid goal, the whole team and not just sitting back in the third, but go out and get the second goal we could remain relaxed and calm throughout the whole game," said Thomas.

Thomas blanks Lightning. Bruins lead 2-1.

TAMPA, Fla. -- Tim Thomas rebounded from two tough games in grand fashion.

Thomas made 31 saves for his first playoff shutout this season and second overall, Andrew Ference and David Krejci scored and the Boston Bruins beat the Tampa Bay Lightning 2-0 on Thursday night to take a 2-1 lead in the Eastern Conference finals.

"That felt more like a normal game," Thomas said. "That felt like the game we played most of the season. Playoffs are always faster and more energy and a few more scoring chances than a regular-season game, but that was Boston Bruins hockey."

Thomas, the favorite to win the Vezina Trophy as the top regular-season goalie, gave up nine goals in the first two games of the series.

"As the game goes on, he keeps making saves, feels better about himself and is gaining confidence," Lightning right winger Martin St. Louis said. "We've just got make his game a little tougher and we didn't do that. Chew on it for 10 minutes and get back to work."

Ference made it 2-0 at 8:12 of the third on a shot from the point that trickled between goalie Dwayne Roloson's legs and into the net.

Game 4 is Saturday in Tampa.

"I'm kind of a product of the way the game goes in front of me," Thomas said. "I was able to play more under control tonight, but a lot of that has to do with the fact that we played the way that I'm used to, so I felt comfortable in a game like that."

Patrice Bergeron returned to Boston's lineup after missing two games because of a concussion sustained when he was hit by Philadelphia's Claude Giroux in the final game of the second round.

"I felt good," Bergeron said. "I was confident that I was ready, and the doctors and trainers were in the same boat as me, so it was time for me to be out there. I thought overall it was a great team effort. Everyone stepped up and we all played well, we all played our role, and that's how you win."

Bergeron had two shots, won 18 of 28 faceoffs and played 19 minutes, 13 seconds.

"You could see the difference he makes," coach Claude Julien said.

Bergeron had two goals and 10 assists in 11 playoff games before getting hurt.

"He's back and he definitely made a difference for us, like he always does and like he has been this whole playoffs," Thomas said. "He's been one, if not, the best player on our team."

Bruins rookie Tyler Seguin, who had three goals and three assists in the first two games, was held off the scoresheet. After sitting out the Bruins' first two playoff rounds, the 19-year-old Seguin was inserted into the lineup to replace Bergeron in Game 1 and has seven points overall.

Krejci was alone in the low slot and opened the scoring on a backhander just 1:09 into the first. Boston is 7-0 during the postseason when scoring the first goal of the game.

"One big mistake to start the game," Lightning coach Guy Boucher said. "If it wasn't for that, I think it would stayed 0-0 for quite a while."

Krejci was briefly shaken up late in the first when he was hit in the neutral zone by Tampa Bay defenseman Marc-Andre Bergeron, who received a minor penalty for elbowing.

Both teams were looking to play tighter defense after combining for 18 goals in the first two games.

"Getting the first quick goal definitely helped the whole team, and not just sitting back in the third, but going out and getting that second goal made us able to stay relaxed and calm throughout the whole game," Thomas said.

Tampa Bay center Steven Stamkos said before the game that the Lightning wanted to avoid "run and gun hockey." Boston center Brad Marchand added that both teams hoped to "buckle down" on defense.

Stamkos had three shot as the Lightning outshot Boston 10-8 during the first. Bruins captain Zdeno Chara made a nice defensive play during the period to break up a Tampa Bay 2-on-1.

"We got some chances and their goalie made some good saves," Stamkos said. "We're not panicking. We've got to be ready for the next one."

Thomas made a strong save in the first on St. Louis' shot from the low right circle. The goalie stopped 15 shots in the third.

"Offensively, I don't feel we paid the price," St. Louis said. "I think we have in the past couple games. We just didn't get the job done."

Roloson finished with 23 saves.

"Both goalies made huge saves," Bruins defenseman Dennis Seidenberg said. "This just felt more normal. I think both teams got more towards the type of game they wanted. I think it was a lot more typical and expected from us."

NOTES: NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman attended the game. ... Tampa Bay D Pavel Kubina didn't play and hasn't resumed practicing. Kubina has been out since the first game of the conference semifinals against Washington when his head went into the glass on a hit. ... Bruins LW Milan Lucic played with a sore right foot and had an assist. ... Krejci has six goals and 11 points over his last seven games.

Series key Seguin as same Bruins with Lightning

BOSTON -- It took a promising rookie benched for the Boston Bruins' first 11 playoff games to stop the Tampa Bay Lightning's run of eight straight wins.

Speedy, shifty Tyler Seguin had two goals and two assists in his second game back and Boston fended off Tampa Bay's late offensive pressure for a 6-5 win that tied the Eastern Conference finals at 1-1 on Tuesday night.

Just 19, the No. 2 pick in last year's draft energized the Bruins and thrilled the spectators. He was an onlooker himself in Boston's first two series because of defensive shortcomings.

"It's hard sitting there and not being able to help the boys," Seguin said.

So on Tuesday night, with the Bruins facing a possible two-game deficit heading into Tampa for Game 3 on Thursday night, Seguin said, "I wanted to take advantage."

Seguin rejoined the lineup for the series opener, getting a goal and an assist in Boston's 5-2 loss, when Patrice Bergeron sat out because of a mild concussion.

On Tuesday, with Bergeron still sidelined but not ruled out of the entire series, Seguin tied it at 2 just 48 seconds into Boston's five-goal second period then made it 4-2 at 6:30. Vincent Lecavalier cut the Lightning's deficit to 4-3 with a power-play goal at 7:48, but Seguin set up two goals by Michael Ryder that put Boston on top 6-3 entering the third.

"He was really the reason we won," Bruins forward Brad Marchand said.

For the Lightning, it was their first loss in 27 days since rallying from a 3-1 deficit against Pittsburgh in the first round.

"After eight games of playing solid, structured and intense and doing things down to the T there's bound to be some point you have something that might be a little different," Lightning coach Guy Boucher said. "Even if we would have won that game, we wouldn't be happy with the way we played."

The Bruins won and they were far from satisfied.

Certainly not with the five goals they allowed and several they didn't give up because of goalie Tim Thomas' late-game determination.

 After allowing just 24 goals through the first two series, Bruins goalie Tim Thomas has yielded nine in the first two games of this series.

"I don't think anybody's happy," Bruins coach Claude Julien said. "We want to score goals. There's no doubt there. But the way we've been giving up goals, there's nothing to be proud of."

Steven Stamkos and Dominic Moore scored in the final period for the Lightning.

Adam Hall gave the Lightning a 1-0 lead 13 seconds after the opening faceoff, the quickest goal in the team's playoff history. In their opening 5-2 win, the Lightning set club postseason records with two goals in 19 seconds and three in 1:25, all in the first period.

Nathan Horton tied Game 2 with a power-play goal at 13:58, but the Lightning took a 2-1 lead when Martin St. Louis scored with 7 seconds left in the first period.

"We knew we had to be better," St. Louis said. "At that point, we were lucky to be up 2-1."

The Bruins came out aggressively in the second period.

Seguin started the barrage when he took a pass from Ryder at his blue line and used exceptional speed to race between Tampa Bay defensemen Randy Jones and Victor Hedman. Seguin went in alone on Dwayne Roloson, cut from right to left, and lifted a backhander over the sprawling goalie.

His playoff benching after playing in 76 regular-season games provided motivation.

"Whenever I face adversity, I always try to take a negative and turn it into a positive," Seguin said.

David Krejci put the Bruins ahead for good at 2:24 with the only Bruins' goal of the second period that didn't involve Seguin.

Thomas stopped Ryan Malone on a breakaway and, 22 seconds later, Seguin connected again at 6:30. Skating in on the right side, he called for the puck. Horton passed from the left, and Seguin put in a 10-footer to the left of Roloson.

After Lecavalier cut the lead to one at 7:48, Seguin sparked the Bruins again.

His shot from the top of the right circle hit Ryder's leg in front of the net. It slid to the left, where Ryder gained control and beat Roloson at 16:16 on a power play.

The crowd chanted, "Tyler Seguin, Tyler Seguin."

And he wasn't through.

In the final minute of the period, he made a backhanded pass from the left boards to Chris Kelly, stationed about 15 feet in front of the net. Roloson made the save but Ryder converted the rebound.

"When [Seguin] is skating and holding onto the puck and making plays, that's when he's at his best," Ryder said.

Roloson, who entered with the NHL's best goals-against average and save percentage in this year's playoffs, was replaced at the start of the third period by Mike Smith after allowing six goals on 27 shots. Smith stopped all eight shots he faced.

"We didn't stick to our structure," Stamkos said, "and when we don't stick to our structure that is what happens."

Boston got a scare when Stamkos scored at 3:47 of the third period, and Moore made it 6-5 at 13:15. But the Bruins held off the Lightning, ensuring that the series will return to Boston for a fifth game.

"We had some chances to tie it up," St. Louis said, "but they deserved it more than we did."

Game notes
Roloson allowed only 25 goals in Tampa Bay's first 12 playoff games. ... The Lightning took a 1-0 lead for the seventh straight game but fell to 8-1 when scoring first in the playoffs. ... Bruins center Marc Savard, who missed most of the season with a concussion, watched in street clothes from a box in the stands. ... Patriots coach Bill Belichick waved and smiled to the crowd when shown on the video screen beside girlfriend Linda Holliday.

Lightning finish scanning of the capitals with a 5-3 win

 No there was no return for Alex Ovechkin and the Capitals in Washington against the Tampa Bay Lightning - only more postseason disappointment.

Falling short of the expectations once again, top seeded capitals have been swept from the NHL playoffs, Wednesday night, falling 5-3 at the Lightning seeded fifth game 4 of the Conference semifinals clash.

"It was a year difficult - we went through the valleys and peaks - but I just thought if we persevered that something good was about to happen,"Washington coach, said Bruce Boudreau. ".

"I thought also later when they made it 5-2, it will be difficult." But before even than I thought, ' OK, we will find a way. Guys want too, and they come back all year in dire straits. "I always thought that we were on Moor and win in overtime. ?

With chants of "sweep, scan, scanning" prey through the construction, the Lightning had other thoughts and kept pushing until Washington had more hope.

Sean Bergenheim scored two goals and Dwayne Roloson stopped 33 shots for Tampa Bay, which has extended its series of victories for seven games and qualify for the final of the Conference for the first time since the 2004 Stanley Cup championship season.

"We are really happy, but we're not popping champagne or anything," Lightning before Ryan Malone said. "We know what our objective and we must continue and be maintained." We not have done anything yet. ?

Rookie Michal Neuvirth stopped 32 shots for Washington, but Bergenheim scored twice in eight minutes in the second period to build a lead of 3-1 that sent the height of the 20,835 mode celebration long before it more.

"There is little you can say." They are low in landfills. I am in landfills, said Boudreau. "I just said I was proud of them for the way they worked throughout the year, and that they never quit right at the end.". It's just a coach could ask is if you do not quit and you keep only plugging through. I thought that we had a good chance to win and we did not only it. ?

The big three of Martin St. Louis, Vincent Lecavalier and Steven Stamkos lightning have elevated their games in the playoffs, but has therefore Bergenheim, who was a leader of the team of seven goals through two rounds. Sixth objective St. Louis' of playoffs, with 3: 08 remaining, finished marking of Tampa Bay.

Malone and Marc - André Bergeron added goals for the lightning, who have not lost since the fall in a hole of 3-1 against the Pittsburgh Penguins in the first round.

Bergenheim was eighth on the lightning with 14 goals during the regular season, but he was much more of an offensive force to evict the penguins and lightning.

It is something coach Guy Boucher, with Tampa Bay in the Conference finals in his first season as coach of the NHL, has come to expect of the attacker.

"Every top game, every important game, each game that there is some pressure, he was in it." "It was one of our best players," said the butcher. "Some people freeze under pressure, some people fly away, and some people are fighting.". He fights. ?

Marco Sturm, John Erskine and John Carlson scored for the capitals. Ovechkin had a purpose of Sturm, but was unable to find the net with one of the five shots to the 41-year-old Roloson, a mid-season acquisition, which is one of the biggest reasons Tampa Bay is not only thep playoffs for the first time since 2007 but thriving.

Scanning of lightning capitals to reach the final of the East

TAMPA, Florida - Sean Bergenheim scored two goals and Dwayne Roloson stopped 33 shots as the Tampa Bay Lightning outbreak has completed a sweep of the series of the seeded Washington Capitals in height with a 5-3 victory in game 4 on Wednesday night.

Playing on consecutive nights for the first time this postseason, the lightning extended their series of victories for seven games and advanced to the final of the Conference is for the first time since their season of the 2004 Stanley Cup Championship.

For Alex Ovechkin and the capitals, it is still another bitter disappointment for playoffs.

Rookie Michal Neuvirth stopped 32 shots for Washington, but Bergenheim scored twice in eight minutes in the second period to build a 3-1 lead which induces songs of "sweep, sweep, sweep," a room fills of 20,835.

The big three of Martin St. Louis, Vincent Lecavalier and Steven Stamkos lightning have elevated their games, but has therefore Bergenheim, who was a leader of the team of seven goals through two rounds. Sixth objective St. Louis' of playoffs, with 3: 08 remaining, finished marking of Tampa Bay.

Ryan Malone and Marc - André Bergeron added goals for the lightning, who have not lost since the fall in a hole of 3-1 against the Pittsburgh Penguins in the first round.

Marco Sturm, John Erskine and John Carlson scored for the capitals.

The lightning won the first two games in Washington, then pushed the capitals on elimination by winning game 3 in Tampa Tuesday evening.

They expected the hardest game of series Wednesday, calling the capitals a proud team which should not be taken lightly. Washington found it, the first three games could have gone with Ovechkin insisting after game 3 that the series was far from over and that he expected his team to come back and win.

Malone marked with Ovechkin in the criminalization of recharge area, giving Tampa Bay an advance 1 - 0 at 12: 37 of the first period. The lightning have not lost a postseason game in which they were registered first, however shown once Washington more enduring after falling at the start.

The capitals he linked to the end of the first, marking the second time in only 17 of series power play opportunities. Jason Arnott and Ovechkin attended the purpose of Sturm, but Washington was unable to continue the momentum for a second period in which it was outshot 17-10.

Sixth and seventh goals of the playoffs Bergenheim put the lightning up 3-1. Caps tightening with goal without help Erskine at 13: 40 of the second, but Roloson responded to every challenge after that.

Game notes
The lightning have won eight consecutive playoff games against the capitals, dating from the first round in 2003. ... Washington D Mike Green, who left in the third period Tuesday night with what the capitals described as a lower body injury, did not play in game 4. ... Tampa Bay LW Simon won and D Pavel Kubina sitting for the third consecutive game because of injuries was not disclosed, the top of the body. They are on the day the day. ... St. Louis, Lecavalier and Kubina are the only players remaining on the list of Stanley Cup champion team lightning.

Roloson, helps Stamkos Lightning Beat capitals 4-2

 Sean Bergenheim, Dwayne Roloson and the rest of the of Tampa Bay Lightning picked up right there where they are left.

Bergenheim recorded at the beginning, Steve Downie had a goal and an assist, and Steven Stamkos netted the goal to go on a game to help the lightning beat the Washington Capitals seeded top 4-2 Friday night in 1 game in the Conference semi-finals series is.

Roloson, goalkeeper of Tampa Bay age of 41 years, has made 26 stops.

Capitals Captain Alex Ovechkin was held without a point and limited to two shots. Alexander Semin and Eric Fehr scored for Washington, which led 2-1 before leaving Downie and Stamkos put Tampa Bay ahead with goals less than 3? minutes apart late in the second period.

Dominic Moore added an empty-netter with 40 seconds left for the Lightning, seeded fifth, won four games since Pittsburgh 3-1 in the first round behind.

The Lightning has played most of the match Friday without veteran Simon Gagne left wing, which contributed to the dressing room after his helmet hit the ice when he fell after a hard hit by capitals defenseman Scott Hannan. Lightning stated that WINS could be re-evaluated Saturday.

Game 2 is Sunday night in Washington.

Roloson has obtained the laundry and Bergenheim provided the one and only goal when the lightning edged the Penguins 1-0 in game 7 on Wednesday night. After the end of this series, Tampa Bay directly flew from Pittsburgh to Washington, then was back in the ice less than 45 hours later for the second round opener Friday.

The lack of free time does not seem to disturb the lightning.

The capitals, on the other hand, wrapped in their first series against the New York Rangers in five games last Saturday and had nearly a week off the coast. Capitals coach Bruce Boudreau on the story line "Rest against rust" Thursday, but perhaps there is something to it.

In the first round, rookie goalie Michal Neuvirth and the capitals allowed the Rangers to score a grand total of two goals in three matches of Washington. Lightning has exceeded this total in an interval of two periods.

Neuvirth finished with 20 cases Friday. He entered the day leading the NHL with a 1, 38-against average goals and second place, with une.946 save percentage. No. 1 to save it in the category? Roloson.

Tampa Bay penalty kill is again enormous, holding Washington 0 to 5. Lightning killed 39 of 40 penalties this postseason.

Bergenheim put Tampa Bay ahead 2: 12 in by pushing in the puck during a melee of Neuvirth, which wound up on his back. Immediately, which reduced to silence the crowd of noisy capitals, port of red. Less than two minutes later, the arena was earsplittingly loud once again, because Washington linked to the game's fourth goal of the Semin of the playoffs.

Deep end, the defender of lightning Mike Lundin delivered the puck with an errant pass went from capitals winger Marco Sturm stick and right Semin. He did not hesitate and sent a right kick through Roloson at 4: 08, giving Semin one goal in three consecutive games.

It was the first shot of the capitals of the game.

Return to the kind of skirmishes cranky these rival Southeast Division participate in the regular season, there was a lot to hit hard and close fighting. A time came scary 8? minutes about WINS briefly remained on his back, still, after his helmet banging against the ice.

Lecavalier leads lightning past Caps 3-2 in OT

 Vincent Lecavalier was Alex Ovechkin one better. Lecavalier to Tampa Bay Lightning streaks are now at halfway to eliminate the top-seeded Capitals Washington Ovechkin.

Lecavalier scored his second goal of the game 6: 19 into overtime, and lightning seeded fifth beat the capitals 3-2 Sunday night for a 2-0 lead in Eastern Conference semifinals.

Tampa Bay appeared to move towards a more simple victory, leading 2-1 in the third period, but Ovechkin forced the extra period by registering with 67 seconds in regulation.

Dwayne Roloson made 35 saves as the lightning won their fifth consecutive game - and their fifth consecutive on the road.

The series now shifts to Tampa for game 3 Tuesday, followed by game 4 the following night.

On the winning goal, lightning took the capitals in the middle of a modification of the line. The defender of Tampa Bay Randy Jones - playing in his first game this postseason injury - Pavel Kubina, game 1 sent a long pass to Teddy Purcell off the coast of boards of Directors. Purcell then slid the puck across the ice to Lecavalier, who turned rookie goalie Michal Neuvirth the game.

Taking a page for celebration of the Ovechkin, Lecavalier jumped into the glass behind the net before be surrounded by his teammates.

Martin St. Louis' goal put Tampa Bay ahead 2-1 about seven minutes in the third period, before Ovechkin recorded his first point of the series. Brooks Laich scored for Washington in the second period.

The State of Washington's power play went to 0 for 6 and 0 for 11 in the series. Part of which was due to problems with capitals, but a lot of credit must also go to Roloson and lightning, who have been absolutely superb in the murder of penalty.

In this postseason, the lightning turned side 45 46 helpless situations.

Tampa Bay might feel very good things, because he can wrap up the series by winning twice at home. Then, the two teams know from recent experience that a deficit in the series of two games is hardly insurmountable.

Tampa Bay towed Pittsburgh 3-1 in the first round before taking three games in a row to eliminate the Penguins. And it is just last season that won a trophy capitals Presidents blew a lead of 3-1 against the Montreal Canadiens of seeds in the eighth and was disrupted in seven games.

The key for Lightning-capitals so far has been the performance of the units of power play teams and the death penalty.

While Washington is faced with the man-advantage - the capitals might be wishing that penalties could be declined in the NHL - Tampa Bay is designed to play in every game.

He was captain of Ovechkin, Washington, who was in the penalty box for asking when Lecavalier, Tampa Bay captain, he made 1-0 with 58.8 seconds in the first period. Lecavalier timing a slap shot, zoom the puck on the left shoulder of Neuvirth, who wound up with 20 stops.

The capitals tied the game 1 for all 15? minutes approximately in the second period on first goal's Laich of these playoffs. And the score came, naturally, in the room of 5 out of 5.

Nicklas Backstrom introduced the puck into the offensive zone and took a shot that exploded chest Roloson. Laich throws the puck in the air and she jumped past Roloson as Alexander Semin - which was initially credited with the goal, before a change of notation - stirred his stick, too. The capitals started to celebrate and Roloson gave Semin a shove as the Russia skated yesterday.

Stamkos sends lightning past selections in game 1

WASHINGTON - If the Tampa Bay Lightning and their old guardian of 41 years, Dwayne Roloson, were exhausted, they sure hid well.

Sean Bergenheim scored at the beginning, Steven Stamkos added the goal to go to a game of power and Roloson made 26 stops, helping beat lightning Alex Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals, seeded at the top of page 4-2 Friday night in 1 match of the semi-finals of the Conference is.

Even after the closure of game power capes and steal the advantage of the home-ice with a victory 1 game, lightning coach Guy Boucher is still describing his team as the underdog, writes Scott Burnside. History

? Injuries cost the two flashes, capitals

"I don't know about us being tired," said Bergenheim, who scored 2: 12 into the game. "I feel it now.".

Steve Downie had a goal and an assist, Dominic Moore added an empty-netter with 40 seconds left for the Lightning, seeded fifth, who have won four straight games since Pittsburgh 3-1 behind in the first round.

Roloson got laundry and Bergenheim provided solely at Tampa Bay won at Pittsburgh 1 - 0 in game 7 on Wednesday night. Lightning directly flew to Washington on the night, crawl in their hotel beds after 3 p.m. Thursday.

They were on the ice for a commitment from 7 p.m. Friday.

"It was good for us, in a way," Nate Thompson said Center of Tampa Bay. "We kind of go back right to it and do not have much time off the coast." We are always in play mode. ?

That they were.

Strategy of get-ahead-and-focus-on-defense of Lightning has confused the capitals.

Ovechkin was held without a point and limited to two shots, and Washington went 0 for 5 on the power - play by Tampa Bay 39 penalty for 40 killers this postseason.

"They make it frustrating," said capitals coach Bruce Boudreau. "They hang just return, and then try to push." They are very good at it. ?

Roloson only needed to make five stops in the third period.

"We are surprised by the outcome of this evening - but happy with it," said the guardian of the New York Islanders acquired the day of the new year. "We had the chance to win a hockey game". We had some rebounds. ?

This is true. For example, towed lightning 2-1 but he tied with 3: 43 left in the second period, when Downie was trying to center the puck, but his pass deflected off the coast of stick Defender Scott Hannan and fluttered over his right shoulder of goalie Michal Neuvirth.

And the purpose of the Stamkos came with 31.6 seconds remaining in the period, when Neuvirth ceased its initial test but returned the puck right to the attacker, who put the rebound of.

This power play came when Jason Chimera was expelled for rough after a success on Pavel Kubina, who has not played in the third period. The appeal drew boos from the home fans. Jeers only grew louder, naturally, when Stamkos converted the extra-man chance.

That ends reversing the 2-1 lead that Washington built with goals by Alexander Semin and Eric Fehr.

The Lightning has played most of the match Friday without veteran Simon Gagne left wing, which contributed to the dressing room after his helmet hit the ice when he fell after a hard hit by Hannan in the first period. Lightning said WINS and Kubina could be re-evaluated Saturday.

Game 2 is Sunday night in Washington.

Boudreau chastised his players to engage in what he calls "hockey river" - the kind of back-and-forth, large spaces style capitals used to count on making a concerted effort to focus on defence.

In the first round, rookie Neuvirth - he is 18 years younger than Roloson - and the capitals allowed the New York Rangers to score a grand total of two goals in three matches of Washington. Lightning has exceeded this total in an interval of two periods.

"We played too cute and took sanctions, and we cost," said Ovechkin. "First period, the last 10 minutes, we play our game.". First 10 minutes, second [duration], we play well. After that, let them us play their game. ?

Lightning could be tired, the capitals could be rusty. They wrapped in their series against the Rangers in five games last Saturday and had nearly a week off the coast. Boudreau on the story line "Rest against rust" Thursday, but perhaps there is something to it.

Neuvirth finished with 20 cases Friday. He entered the day leading the NHL with a 1, 38-against average goals and second place, with une.946 save percentage. No. 1 to save it in the category? Roloson.

A key Friday: The Lightning held the edge in special teams play.

"The guys take away passing lanes." Blocking shots, of course. Try to remove the time and space, "said Thompson. "And then your best penalty killer is going to be your best goalkeeper and Roli was for us."

Game notes
Capitals D John Carlson played only 36 seconds into the third period, and Boudreau said that it is the day the day. "I hope that he can go Sunday," Boudreau said. "". ... Washington C Nicklas Backstrom goal drought reached 13 games and he acknowledged that he could begin to try too hard to score. "This is what happens when you fight," he said. ... The capitals have one apparent goal waved off 13? minutes medicine, when officials ruled Brooks Laich kicked the puck past Roloson.