TAMPA, Fla. (AP) – So much for all those questions about what’s happened to Steven Stamkos in the NHL playoffs.
The two-time Maurice Richard Trophy winner and the Tampa Bay Lightning are headed back 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, the last helping propel the Lightning after Montreal fought off elimination in Games 4 and 5.
The Lightning move on the conference finals, where they’ll face either the New York Rangers or Washington Capitals, who play Game 7 of their second-round series on Wednesday night.
The Lightning are one stage away from the Stanley Cup Final for the first time since 2011, when they lost to the Boston Bruins in seven games. Tampa Bay won its only NHL title in 2004.