Tampa Bay Lightning: Top 5 2015 Playoff Moments

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May 18, 2015; New York, NY, USA; Tampa Bay Lightning center Tyler Johnson (9) celebrates with teammates after scoring his second goal against the New York Rangers during the first period in game two of the Eastern Conference Final of the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports

The Tampa Bay Lightning spent two months on the exciting rollercoaster ride that was the 2015 playoffs. Full of twists and turns, this extended postseason run brought about emotions ranging from anger and frustration to pure joy to heartbreak.

While they fell two wins short of the ultimate goal, there were still plenty of defining moments. These ranged from many different areas, whether it be heart stoppingly dramatic or fairly routine considering the circumstances.

Individual players turned in MVP caliber performances as well, a big reason the Lightning made it to the point they did.

Defying the odds was another theme for this particular run. Whether it be overcoming a series deficit to advance, knocking off three Original Six opponents or even dethroning the King, Henrik Lundqvist, on his home ice in a Game 7; the 2015 Bolts proved to the NHL they could hang with anyone.

On the next few pages, I’m going to give you the top 5 moments of the Tampa Bay Lightning’s amazing journey to the Stanley Cup finals. These are listed in no particular order.

Please keep in mind that this is my opinion and your top 5 might look different. If it does feel free to share that in the comment section below.

Next: The Comeback in Motown

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Apr 23, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Tampa Bay Lightning center

Tyler Johnson

(center) receives congratulations from teammates after scoring in overtime against the Detroit Red Wings in game four of the first round of the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Joe Louis Arena. Tampa Bay won 3-2 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

The Comeback in Motown

Trailing the best of seven first round series against the legendary Detroit Red Wings 2 games to 1, the Tampa Bay Lightning faced a crucial test in Game 4. A win would send the series home on even terms while a loss could end their dream sooner rather than later.

After 54 minutes, the Bolts were in dire straits. They trailed 2-0 and looked lost at sea, unable to break the Red Wings suffocating defense let alone rookie goaltender Petr Mrazek.

Enter the triplet line of Nikita Kucherov, Tyler Johnson and Ondrej Palat. The trio scored twice in a little over a minute to force overtime, then sealed the deal with another goal nearly two and a half minutes into the extra frame.

Johnson was the hero, with the first and last goal, but he wouldn’t have gotten that opportunity without the help of his linemates. Put together, they were far and away the most dangerous line in the NHL last season.

Detroit witnessed this first hand and the results weren’t exactly favorable. A game they thought they had won with relative ease turned into a nightmare that ended up shaping the outcome of this series.

On the opposite side of the ledger, the Bolts salvaged a win when it was desperately needed. Some may even say they saved their season. Whatever your opinion may be, the fact remains that this was a step in the right direction for a team that hadn’t faced many challenges coming in.

Next: The Emergence of Ben Bishop

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May 29, 2015; New York, NY, USA; Tampa Bay Lightning goalie

Ben Bishop

(30) defends the net against New York Rangers left wing

Rick Nash

(61) during the third period in game seven of the Eastern Conference Final of the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports

The Emergence of Ben Bishop

An afterthought in the world of elite netminders for many years, Ben Bishop burst onto the NHL scene during the 2013-14′ regular season. According to the Tampa Bay Lightning website, Bishop had a team record 37 wins to go with a 2.23 goals against average, .924 save percentage and five shutouts, making him an easy pick as one of the finalists for the Vezina Trophy given to the league’s best goaltender.

Unfortunately, his shot at the postseason ended cruelly when he injured his elbow making a diving save against the Toronto Maple Leafs mere days before the playoffs were to begin. He had also been dealing with a bad wrist which required offseason surgery so, while not ideal, the abbreviated season probably was in everyone’s best interests long term.

Finally back to 100 percent, Bishop broke his own record by notching 40 victories in the 2014-15′ season. Though lower than last seasons totals, his 2.32 GAA and .916 save percentage were respectable.

Then came the 2015 postseason. With no experience heading in, the tall Bishop elevated his game to a level that matched or exceeded his 6’7″ frame.

It began in Game 7 of Round One versus the Detroit Red Wings. With no score entering the final 20 minutes, Bishop faced an immense amount of pressure. He refused to flinch, allowing his teammates enough time to score while posting a shutout of his own.

A confidence boost to be sure, this was a turning point for Bishop and his mates on their quest to capturing the Prince of Wales Trophy and a spot in the Stanley Cup Finals.

Next: The Buzzer Beater

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May 6, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Lightning center Tyler Johnson (9) is congratulated my teammates after he scored a goal in the third period of game three of the second round of the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Amalie Arena. Tampa Bay Lightning defeated the Montreal Canadiens 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Buzzer Beater

With a 2-0 series lead heading back to the bay, Game 3 of the Eastern Conference semifinals against the Montreal Canadiens wasn’t considered a must-win by anyone. In saying that, there’s no denying what a loss could do to the Tampa Bay Lightning‘s chances of moving on.

You see, these bearded warriors hadn’t been given much of a rest and faced two games on back-to-back nights. Looking at the official team site, that isn’t a recipe for success, as the Bolts went 4-7-1 in the second half of back-to-backs this season. Factor in the assumption Ben Bishop would start both contests and you could be looking at a tie series heading back to Montreal. Not an ideal situation to say the least.

Keeping all of this in mind, the Lightning and Canadiens fought tooth and nail for 59 minutes and 59 seconds. Then magic occurred. The vaunted Montreal defense allowed Victor Hedman and Tyler Johnson to speed up ice. With 2015 Vezina Trophy winner Carey Price looking for the shot, Hedman sent a perfect pass cross crease to Johnson who flicked it home with less than one second remaining on the game clock.

Even though it didn’t end the series, this was the goal that broke the Canadiens back. Montreal had a shot at heading back home with a split but instead gave the Lightning full control of the series. The rest is history.

Next: Nikita Kucherov: Overtime Hero

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May 1, 2015; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Tampa Bay Lightning forward Nikita Kucherov (86) celebrates after scoring the winning goal against Montreal Canadiens goalie Carey Price (31) during the second overtime period in game two of the second round of the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports

Nikita Kucherov, Overtime Hero

Coming off an extended seven game series against the Detroit Red Wings, the Tampa Bay Lightning headed north of the border to start the conference semifinals versus an all too familiar foe in the Montreal Canadiens.

Battling fatigue, the Bolts relied on big Ben Bishop to give them a chance at victory. He did that, making a number of spectacular saves to keep the game scoreless before playoff hero Tyler Johnson scored to give the Lightning a lead.

The Canadiens pushed back though, resulting in Max Pacioretty scoring the tying goal with approximately five and a half minutes remaining in regulation.

Once that occurred, you had to wonder how the Lightning would respond. Visions of last seasons first round sweep, which coincidentally enough began with an overtime loss in Game 1 at the then Tampa Bay Times Forum, surely sat firmly entrenched in the back of these guys heads. A repeat performance was something they didn’t want at all.

Realizing that, you knew the Bolts would come out of the gate with urgency. They would skate until they had put this game in the books. What they didn’t realize was how long it might take and the controversy surrounding it.

For the record, it took 28 minutes for someone to score. Nikita Kucherov received the honors by speeding up the left side before releasing a laser like shot that eluded both Habs defenseman Tom Gilbert and netminder Carey Price to seal the victory and give the Lightning an early edge in the series.

A fitting end considering the fact he had a goal waved off during the first overtime, as referees deemed he pushed Price and the puck into the net.

Next: Dethroning the King, Rewriting History

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May 29, 2015; New York, NY, USA; NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly presents Tampa Bay Lightning center

Steven Stamkos

(91) with the Prince of Wales Trophy after game seven of the Eastern Conference Final of the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Dethroning the King, Rewriting History

Game 7 of the Eastern Conference finals was supposed to be the Henrik Lundqvist show. The New York Rangers playoff MVP and one of the NHL’s elite goaltenders, “King” Lundqvist had a perfect record in elimination games. His teammates were nearly perfect when facing elimination at Madison Square Garden themselves.

The Tampa Bay Lightning saw this and used it as motivation. Nobody expected them to win so why not go out with the “us against the world” mentality? Why not make their own history?

So they did.

Alex Killorn scored early in the final period of play to give the Lightning a lead on the previously untouchable Lundqvist.

The Rangers kept coming with waves of pressure though. They knew one goal either way could completely alter the outcome of this game. If they score, things are tied and they carry momentum into the latter stages, maybe even overtime. If the Bolts score, however, they face the reality of their unbeaten streak, not to mention hopes of appearing in back-to-back Cup finals, ending.

Lucky for the Bolts, Ondrej Palat notched the next goal. That swung all the momentum Tampa Bay’s way. All that was needed were a few big stops by Bishop and a shutdown defense.

The Lightning delivered on both fronts, with Bishop recording his second shutout of the series and third of the playoffs, to help capture the Prince of Wales Trophy given to the Eastern Conference Champions. The Bolts also punched their ticket to the Stanley Cup Finals for only the second time in franchise history.

Next: Martin St. Louis: A Look Back At A Fantastic Career

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