Mar 23, 2013; Ottawa, ON, CAN; Tampa Bay Lightning centre Tyler Johnson (63) controls the puck in the first period against the Ottawa Senators at Scotiabank Place. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports

Their opponents, the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, moved on to the next round just last night after defeating the Number One seed Providence Bruins in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals 5-0.

Being the higher seed in the series, the Crunch will get home ice advantage in this series. The first puck of the Eastern Conference Finals will drop on Saturday, May 25^th at 7:00 p.m. EST at the War Memorial Arena in Syracuse.

Below is the complete schedule for the Eastern Conference Finals between the Number Three seed Syracuse Crunch and the Number Five seed Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. All times are Eastern Standard Time.

Game 1 – Saturday, May 25^th – Penguins at Crunch            7:00 p.m.

Game 2 – Sunday, May 26^th – Penguins at Crunch              7:00 p.m.

Game 3 – Wednesday, May 29^th – Crunch at Penguins       7:05 p.m.

Game 4 – Friday, May 31^st – Crunch at Penguins                 7:05 p.m.

* Game 5 – Saturday, June 1^st – Penguins at Crunch           7:00 p.m.

* Game 6 – Monday, June 3^rd – Crunch at Penguins             7:05 p.m.

* Game 7 – Wednesday, June 5^th – Penguins at Crunch       7:00 p.m.

* Denotes if necessary

We here at Bolts By The Bay wish our Tampa Bay Lightning affiliate, the Syracuse Crunch the best of luck in the Calder Cup Playoffs Eastern Conference Finals.

Do you think the Crunch will be moving on to the Calder Cup Finals, or do you think the Penguins are going to put a skidding halt to the Crunch’s hot streak? How many games do you think this series is going to go? Let us know what you think in the comments below.

Be sure to stay up-to-date with all the latest Lightning news and updates with Bolts By the Bay. LIKE us on Facebook at Bolts By The Bay, and you can follow us on Twitter at @BoltsByTheBay

March 9, 2013; Tampa FL, USA; Tampa Bay Lightning right wing Martin St. Louis (26) skates against the Montreal Canadiens during the second period at Tampa Times Forum. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

The Lady Byng Memorial Trophy is awarded yearly “to the player adjudged to have exhibited the best type of sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct combined with a high standard of playing ability.”

This is not the first time that St. Louis has been nominated for this award. He won the award in both the 2009-10 and 2010-11 seasons.

With his 17 goals and 43 assists, the right winger led the National Hockey League this season in points with 60, winning the Art Ross Trophy. In that same period of time St. Louis only took a total of 7 trips to the penalty box. In the first two months of play, St. Louis would only be called to the sin bin one time. This would be followed by 3 visits in March, and another 3 in April.

Should St. Louis win this Award this year, he will become the third player in NHL history to win the Lady Bing and Art Ross Trophies in the same season. His predecessors include Stan Mikita of the Chicago Blackhawks (1967-68), and the Great One, Wayne Gretzky (1994).

He would also become the ninth player in NHL history to have won the award at the least times. He would join Frank Boucher of the New York Rangers who won the award seven times, Wayne Gretzky (five), Pavel Datsyuk of the Detroit Red Wings (four), Red Kelly (four), Bobby Bauer of the Boston Bruins (three), Mike Bossy of the New York Islanders (three), Alex Delvecchio of the Red Wings (three), and Ron Francis (three).

We here at Bolts By The Bay wish Martin St. Louis the best of luck at the NHL Awards this year. He may be #26 on the ice, but he’ll always be #1 in the hearts of many in the Bolts Nation around Tampa Bay.

Who do you think is most deserving of the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy this season? Do you think St. Louis is the odds on favorite? Sound off in the comments below and let us know what you think.

Be sure to stay up-to-date with all the latest Lightning news and updates with Bolts By the Bay. LIKE us on Facebook at Bolts By The Bay, and you can follow us on Twitter at @BoltsByTheBay.