TAMPA, Fla. — So much for all those questions about what has happened to Steven Stamkos in the N.H.L. playoffs.
Stamkos, a two-time Maurice Richard Trophy winner, and the Tampa Bay Lightning are headed to the Eastern Conference finals for the first time in four years after Tuesday night’s 4-1 victory over the Montreal Canadiens ended their second-round series in six games.
Stamkos failed to score in Tampa Bay’s opening-round matchup against Detroit. He had three goals against the Canadiens, who fought off elimination in Games 4 and 5.
The Lightning will face the Rangers, who defeated the Washington Capitals, 2-1, in overtime in Game 7 of their second-round series on Wednesday night.