TAMPA — As it turns out, the Lightning didn’t feel the pressure.
Tampa Bay popped the bubble on Montreal’s season with a 4-1 victory in front of an announced crowd of 19,204 at Amalie Arena to win the series 4-2.
The victory sends the Lightning into the Eastern Conference Final for the third time in franchise history and the first since 2011 when they lost in seven games to Boston. To get back to the conference final, Tampa Bay defeated Montreal and likely league MVP Carey Price for the ninth time, including the regular season, this year.