June 02--First round: Lightning 4, Red Wings 3
The teams alternated wins to open the series, with the Red Wings taking a 3-2 series lead into Game 6 at Joe Louis Arena. It seemed as if they would put the young Lightning in their place, but the Lightning wouldn't give the Red Wings the chance. Tyler Johnson scored two goals, one in the first four minutes, to pace a 5-2 Lightning victory. Red Wings defenseman Niklas Kronwall was suspended for Game 7 at Amalie Arena because of a high hit he delivered against Nikita Kucherov, and the Lightning shut down the Red Wings 2-0 as Ben Bishop made 31 saves.
Second round: Lightning 4, Canadiens 2
The Lightning's second-round matchup pitted their electrifying offense against Vezina Trophy finalist Carey Price. It turned out to be not much of a contest. The Lightning won the first two at the Bell Centre, 2-1 and 6-2, before taking Game 3 at home. The Canadiens put on a little pressure by taking the next two before the Lightning finished the series in Game 6 at home. Kucherov scored six goals in the series, including two in the clinching 4-1 victory.
Eastern Conference finals: Lightning 4, Rangers 3
The Lightning and Bishop showed commendable road mettle in the conference finals. With the series tied 2-2 in Game 5 at Madison Square Garden, Bishop made 26 saves in a 2-0 shutout to give the Lightning the edge. The Rangers caught fire in Game 6 at Amalie Arena for a 7-3 rout that brought the series back to New York for Game 7. The 6-foot-7 Bishop again stood tall, coming up with 22 saves as the Lightning scored twice in the third for another 2-0 victory.
