Tampa Bay Lightning: 10 Best Performances In Franchise History

Mandatory Credit: Robert Mayer-USA TODAY Sports

10. Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Ottawa Senators/New York Rangers

Vincent Lecavalier and Martin St. Louis celebrate 1000 career game milestone 

January 26, 2013/November 25, 2013

Not many times do you have two of the greatest players in franchise history celebrate playing their 1000th career NHL game in the same calendar year. Well, that is exactly what happened to the Tampa Bay Lightning when the team celebrated the milestone achieved by Vincent Lecavalier and Martin St. Louis.

Starting with the Captain Vinny Lecavalier, the former number one overall pick in the 1998 NHL draft became the first player selected first overall to play all 1000 career games with the same team. Before their game against the Ottawa Senators, the organization celebrated Lecavalier’s accomplishment by presenting him with a custom watch courtesy of owner Jeff Vinik and a silver stick presented by General Manager Steve Yzerman.

Later in the year, teammate Marty St. Louis would join Vinny in the 1000 NHL games played club in a ceremony that took place before their game against the New York Rangers. Though Lecavalier’s ceremony was nice and celebrated the captain’s accomplishments, St. Louis’ ceremony seemed to have a little more excitement to it.

Just like Lecavalier, St. Louis would receive a custom watch from Vinik and was presented a silver stick by General Manager Steve Yzerman. However, St. Louis was also presented a timeline that celebrates the major accomplishments during his fantastic career. What made it more special was that the timeline was presented by former captain Dave Andreychuk and former teammate Brad Richards, who was playing for the New York Rangers at the time of the celebration.

Then, in what may have been the greatest roar from the crowd, injured forward Steven Stamkos limped out onto the ice and presented Marty with a personalized leather bound retrospective of his first 1000 games on behalf of himself and the rest of his teammates. It was the first time fans had seen Stamkos on the ice since his gruesome leg injury that he suffered earlier in the year, and it brought a smile to the face of St. Louis and the rest of Bolts nation.

Both of these celebrations were great and really helped celebrate what these two players have done during their NHL careers. Both played a majority of their careers with the Lightning organization and rank as two of the greatest players in Lightning history.

Next: Manon Rheaume Makes NHL History

Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports

9. Tampa Bay Lightning vs. St. Louis Blues

Manon Rheaume becomes first woman to play in NHL exhibition game

September 23, 1992

Not everyday does a first happen in the long standing history of the National Hockey League. For the Tampa Bay Lightning in their inaugural season in the year 1992, they were able to do just that when the team signed female goaltender Manon Rheaume and started her in a NHL exhibition game

The Lac-Beauport, Quebec native signed with the Lightning as a free agent before the start of the 1992-93 season after she attended a tryout. She was the first woman to be signed by an NHL team and began to create waves around the Tampa area even before she stepped out onto the ice for the first time.

On the night of September 23, 1992, Manon Rheaume led the Tampa Bay Lightning onto the ice to make her first career NHL start while making history in the process. The 5’7 130 lb goaltender saw a period of action in her first professional start, allowing two goals in twenty minutes of play.

Though that game in which being the first woman to play in an NHL game was special enough, Rheaume’s short stint with the Lightning would have everlasting effects on the game that are still felt to this very day.

Girls around North America saw what Rheaume was doing, and she became a role model for the next generation of woman who dream of playing the great game of hockey. The young girls that never once heard of hockey or thought playing was impossible realized that was far from the truth.

Her fame also helped create the Manon Rheaume Foundation, which provides scholarships to college-bound female athletes. To this day, woman’s hockey has continued to grow, and the game played by Rheaume has made a lasting impression on the woman’s side of the game.

Next: Lightning Destroy Division Rival

Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

8. Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Atlanta Thrashers

Tampa Bay Lightning Destroy The Division-Leading Atlanta Thrashers

Thursday, December 7, 2006

We were just one season removed from the rather unpleasant season known as the post-lockout 2005-06 National Hockey League season, and the Tampa Bay Lightning were fighting to make their way back to the top in an effort to reclaim some of the glory the tasted just before the NHL shutdown.

It was a cold December night, well…as cold as it gets here in the Sunshine State, and the Tampa Bay Lightning had quite a challenge in front of them. The Lightning were ready to defend the then-St. Pete Times Forum against the Southeast Division leaders, the Atlanta Thrashers.

There has always been a little bit of heat between these two teams. When you add in the fact that the Atlanta Thrashers were currently at the top of the division, the Tampa Bay Lightning knew they had to bring their “A” game if they were going to bring home the two points in front of their hometown crowd.

Unfortunately, the Tampa Bay Lightning were not coming into this encounter on a high note. Just two nights prior, the Lightning suffered a 4-1 defeat at the hands of the Buffalo Sabres. Needless to say, this only added fuel to the fire in their quest for a win over the Thrashers.

The Tampa Bay Lightning dominated the first period of play, registering 12 shots on goal while holding the Thrashers to a mere four. Despite the onslaught from the Lightning, the first goal of the night wouldn’t come until the final seconds of the period. With just under 30 seconds left in the period, Vincent Lecavalier would score his 15^th goal of the season to give the Lightning the early lead.

When the Tampa Bay Lightning came out of the tunnel to start the second period, the Lightning would continue to put the pressure on the Atlanta Thrashers. Almost the instant these two teams met in the center of the ice, the shenanigans would start. Over the course of the second period there would be eleven penalties called between these two teams, seven of those penalties belonged to the Thrashers while four belonged to the Bolts.

It would be the third of those penalties that would be the catalyst for the Tampa Bay Lightning’s offensive pressure to kick into high gear. In the final seconds of the Power Play, Vincent Lecavalier would score his second goal of the night with assists from defenseman Dan Boyle and right wing Martin St. Louis. This would extend the Tampa Bay Lightning’s lead to two.

Just over the halfway point in the second period, the hats would come raining down on the ice as Vinny Lecavalier would score a natural hat trick with assists from defenseman Filip Kuba and Marty St. Louis. This would be Lecavalier’s fourth career hat trick.

Overall, there would be six different Lightning players to score a goal on that night against the Thrashers. Nikita Alexeev, Brad Richards, Dan Boyle, Martin St. Louis, and Ruslan Fedotenko would all join Lecavalier on the scoresheet that night, delivering an embarrassing 8-0 loss to goaltender Kari Lehtonen and the Atlanta Thrashers.

You never truly know what to expect when you come face-to-face with the division leader; especially when your team is coming into the encounter with a loss on their minds. There is one thing this team has proven over and over again. When you work together as a team and everyone does their job accordingly, there is nothing you can’t accomplish.

EDITORIAL: Which Lightning Players Could Be Moved By The Trade Deadline?

The Tampa Bay Lightning registered 38 shots on goal that night while holding the Thrashers to 21. The Bolts dug deep and took the shot whenever they had the opportunity, dug deep for the rebounds, and continued to pepper Lehtonen with shots. Also, the defense held strong by protecting their goaltender and knocking their man off the puck. As we have said plenty of times before, this is the key to a successful season.

The Tampa Bay Lightning has seen plenty of shutouts between then and now, but there is no denying this particular shutout was one for the record books and one Lightning fans won’t forget anytime soon.

Next: The Tampa Bay Lightning Become The Eastern Conference Champions

Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

7. Tampa Bay Lightning vs. New York Rangers

Lightning Shutout the New York Rangers to Become Eastern Conference Champions

Friday, May 29, 2015

Anyone who has been following the Tampa Bay Lightning over the course of the last few seasons knows just how important this series was, not only to the players, but the fans as well. The Tampa Bay Lightning defied all the odds, once again proving the naysayers wrong, and making it all the way to the Eastern Conference Finals.

The Tampa Bay Lightning had a lot to prove heading into this game, and a lot of that heat surrounded one player in particular. Towards the end of the regular season last year things started to heat up between Tampa Bay Lightning captain Martin St. Louis and Lightning Vice President and General Manager Steve Yzerman. Eventually, things reached a boiling point and St. Louis requested to be traded to the New York Rangers; a request which Yzerman granted.

The Lightning had already carved out a successful path that found them with a spot in the post season. Unfortunately, with their team a little beaten up and one of the team’s most valuable players being traded away in the final months before the post season, the Tampa Bay Lightning found themselves exiting the playoffs post haste at the hands of the Montreal Canadiens.

A whole new year was upon the Tampa Bay Lightning, and the newest Lightning acquisition had helped the Bolts acquire a few new players who would certainly make an impact on the Lightning that season. Once again, the Tampa Bay Lightning found themselves in a comfortable position heading into the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The biggest difference being the team had found the chemistry they lacked in the previous year, and their top netminder Ben Bishop was heading into the post season healthy and ready to play.

The Lightning would go head-to-head with the Detroit Red Wings in the first round. Moving on to the next round would be no easy task for the Bolts. In fact, the opening series went all the way to Game 7 where the Tampa Bay Lightning shut out the Red Wings and went on to the next step in their journey.

Next up for the Lightning was the Montreal Canadiens. After what the Canadiens did to the Bolts last season, it was imperative the Lightning put their best skate forward and give the Habs a taste of their own bitter medicine. While the Lightning may not had been able to pull out their brooms and dispose of the Habs in the same manner the Habs had done to them just one season ago, the Lightning were able to down the Habs in six games and continue on to the next round.

This is where things would get really interesting for the Tampa Bay Lightning.

As the Tampa Bay Lightning made their way into the Eastern Conference Finals, they would have to face off with an all-too-familiar foe, the New York Rangers. There were many people in the Bolts Nation who still harbored plenty of ill-will towards the former Lightning captain and would like nothing more than for the Lightning to wipe the table with the Rangers.

Unfortunately, this is not exactly how things played out. The Tampa Bay Lightning would lose their opening encounter with the Rangers and ultimately be pushed to the limit in the series. After the Rangers defeated the Lightning 7-3 in Game 6, the Lightning had to leave it all out on the ice in Game 7 if they wanted to stay on their journey towards Lord Stanley’s Cup.

Game 7 between the Tampa Bay Lightning and the New York Rangers was probably one of the biggest nail-biters of the entire season. In a series like this, there is almost always a larger amount of penalties or at the very least a back and forth goal scoring session. Unfortunately, neither of those happened in this game.

The Tampa Bay Lightning would lay on the offense in the first two periods of play, outshooting the New York Rangers 19-11, but the Bolts simply could pierce the veil of Rangers veteran goaltender Henrik Lundqvist.

It wasn’t until the opening minutes of the third period that someone would finally break the ice and open up the scoring. Thankfully for the Tampa Bay Lightning, that player was Lightning center Alex Killorn. Killorn would play the puck up the boards and around in front of the net. Quickly, he would release a backhanded shot that would edge past Lundqvist and into the back of the net. The assists on the goal would go to defenseman Matt Carle and center Valtteri Filppula.

EDITORIAL: Which Lightning Players Could Be Moved By The Trade Deadline?

It wasn’t until just after the halfway point in the period that Lightning would strike once again. This time, Lightning netminder Ben Bishop would score his third assist of the post season. For someone who never leaves the net, Bishop sure has a knack for offensive play.

Ben Bishop would collect the puck behind the net, and as the Rangers were quickly rushing towards him, Bishop would send the puck flying along the boards where it would collide with the stick of Ondrej Palat. Palat would deflect the puck over to his linemate Tyler Johnson, who would play the puck into the Rangers’ zone. The dynamic duo would race up the ice where Johnson would pass the puck across the ice back to Palat. Without hesitation, Palat takes the shot and the puck soars past Lundqvist to give the Lightning a 2-0 lead.

As the final seconds ticked off the clock, Tampa Bay Lightning fans back here in the Bolts Nation were on the edge of their seats. The realization was finally starting to set in that the Tampa Bay Lightning were about to play for the Stanley Cup. As the buzzer sounded, the expression on Lightning goaltender Ben Bishop’s face says everything you needed to know about this series.

The Tampa Bay Lightning piled on Bishop, not only celebrating their grand achievement as a team, but Bishop’s personal success in Game 7. Bishop became the third goaltender in NHL history to post two Game 7 shutouts in the same year. Preceding Bishop to this honor was Patrick Roy and Tim Thomas.

There are a lot of things that can be said about the Tampa Bay Lightning’s Stanley Cup journey last season, but there are a few things that will remain in our hearts forever. The first is putting to bed the animosity between Tampa Bay Lightning fans and their former captain. The second, and most important, aspect is the Lightning proved that no matter what your critics say, if you work hard and work together as a team there is nothing you can’t overcome.

Next: Steven Stamkos Notches Number 60

Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports

6. Steven Stamkos Scores 60th Goal

Steven Stamkos scores 60th goal of season in final game of 2011-12 regular season

Saturday April 7, 2012

In one of the most impressive statistical seasons from an individual player, Tampa Bay Lightning forward took the league by storm in his fourth NHL season when he scored 60 goals and 97 points during the 2011-12 regular season. Though the team did not exactly perform its best throughout the year and missed the playoffs, the final game of the season in Winnepeg, Manitoba, Canada, still had some meaning for the team and one of its best players.

Through 81 regular season games, Steven Stamkos had scored 59 goals. This total led both the team and the entire NHL as the fourth year pro established himself as one of the deadliest goal scorers in the league. Though the Lightning were out of the playoff race at the time, Stamkos had one last chance to crack the 60 goal mark in the team’s final regular season game of the season.

As the game progressed, the Lightning went into the second intermission with a 2-1 lead over the then division rival Jets. Though the ultimate goal for the team is to win the game, they knew that history could be made on a night that would have no affect on whether or not they would play in the postseason. If any of us were in the locker room, you could probably hear the chatter in the room from the players and coaches trying to find a way to get Steven Stamkos that elusive 60th goal.

Just under four minutes into the final frame, defenseman

began to lead the rush into the offensive zone. Once he made it to the top of the circle, Lee made a great pass to an awaiting Martin St. Louis behind the net. From there, Marty made a quick snap pass to an awaiting Steven Stamkos, who in typical Steven Stamkos fashion ripped a shot past the outstretched glove of the Winnipeg netminder and into the back of the net. From there,

would grab the puck and the celebration would ensue.

Once Stamkos scored the goal, you could tell just how much it meant to both him and his teammates. Knowing Steven Stamkos as the player and leader he is, there is no way that he would ever put himself or his individual statistics in front of the team’s success. However, on this night, you could tell that Stamkos and his teammates felt that even though they would not make it to the postseason, they were all apart of a historic moment in NHL history.

Probably the coolest part of that night in during the celebration, the Winnipeg faithful got on their feet and began to cheer for Stamkos on his accomplishment. It was a great moment, as just like the team knew they were apart of history, the fans knew that they had just witnessed something that has only happened 20 times in NHL history.

It was a great moment for both Stamkos and the rest of the Tampa Bay Lightning, and I’m sure that puck is somewhere either in Stamkos’ trophy case at home or at his parents house somewhere. That one moment on the final game of the 2011-12 regular season stands as one of the greatest statistical season in Tampa Bay Lightning history.

Next: Lightning Sweep The Montreal Canadiens

Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

5. Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Montreal Canadiens

Lightning sweep Canadians in Eastern Conference Semi-Finals 

April 23-29, 2004 

If I were to cast a vote for the most impressive playoff series in Tampa Bay Lightning history, the series sweep against the Montreal Canadians would top my list. The Lightning dominated the entire series from the opening puck drop of game one at the St. Pete Times Forum, and helped lead the Bolts to the Eastern Conference Finals.

Game one was the Nikolai Khabibulin show. In the team’s 4-0 win in game one, the Lightning goaltender earned his fourth shutout of the postseason when he blanked Montreal in the first game of the series. Two Vincent Lecavalier goals helped get the Bolts out in front while Ruslan Fedotenko and Dmitri Afanasenkov would add the other two goals.

Game two saw more of the same, but this time Montreal actually get the puck by Khabibulin once. Lecavalier would add two more goals to give him four in two games and teammate Freddy Modin would add the third in the Lightning win. Saku Koivu scored the only goal for the Canadians in the game two loss.

As the series moved to Bell Centre in Montreal, the games began to become more evenly matched. Montreal knew their backs were against the wall and they came out on fire when game three started. The first period had nothing but penalties as both teams wanted to set the tone early. However, as the page turned to the second period, The teams would trade goals for the next two periods with Vinny Lecavalier, Cory Stillman, and Brad Richards scoring for the Lightning and Alex Kovalev, Michael Rider, and Patrice Brisebois scoring for Montreal.

The game would go into overtime after regulation time ended with both teams scoring three goals a piece. Just a minute into the extra frame, Brad Richards struck again and put the puck past Habs netminder Jose Theodore to give the Lightning the 4-3 win. The Bolts now had a 3-0 series advantage and the chance to clinch a spot in the Eastern Conference Finals in enemy territory.

In game four, knowing it was due or die time for Montreal, the Habs came out on fire and opened the scoring just five minutes into the opening frame. As the team entered the locker room after the first period, it seemed like they got focused and understood that if they played their game, they could clinch the series. Well, they did just that.

For the next 40 minutes, the Lightning controlled the pace of play. Goals from Dan Boyle, Brad Richards, and an empty netter added by Freddy Modin would give the Lightning the 3-1 series clinching win. Nikolai Khabibulin was fantastic in goal once again, stopping 27/28 shots and all 17 shots he saw in the final two frames.

I don’t know if I have seen any Lightning team in their history dominate a playoff series like they did against Montreal during the 2004 Eastern Conference Semifinals. All three groups played well as the top scorers did their job, the defense played tight all series, and Nikolai Khabibulin was spectacular all series long. The series sweep allowed the team to rest up before their match up against the Philadelphia Flyers in the Eastern Conference Finals, and as we come to find out, that time off may have been the deciding factor in the series.

Next: The Tampa Bay Lightning Pull Out Their Brooms

Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

4. Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Washington Capitals

Lightning Sweep Capitals in Eastern Conference Semifinals

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

The Tampa Bay Lightning found themselves in an interesting position heading into the Semifinal Round of the 2011 Eastern Conference Championship series. After going 46-25-11 in the regular season, the Lightning advanced to the first round of the 2011 Stanley Cup Playoffs where they would go head-to-head with Kris Letang and the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Despite being without their captain Sidney Crosby or center Evgeni Malkin for the whole of the series, the Pittsburgh Penguins would still make the Tampa Bay Lightning work for everything they had and was able to stretch the series out to a Game 7. Thanks to a lone goal from former Tampa Bay Lightning left wing Sean Bergenheim, the Lightning would edge out a victory and continue on to the next round.

Many people, including Tampa Bay Lightning fans, believed the Bolts would be in for much of the same as they continued on to face captain Alex Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals. Unfortunately for the Capitals, the Tampa Bay Lightning had something much different in store for them.

The Tampa Bay Lightning had already taken the first three games of the series. Excluding the first game in this series, each of those previous games had been decided by one single goal. The Tampa Bay Lightning knew if they were going to be successful in this forth, and what would eventually be final, game in the series they were going to have to bring their “A” game.

The first period started out kind of slow, but just after the halfway point in the period Lightning would finally strike. The Lightning would find themselves on the Power Play as Ovechkin would be sent to the box for Charging against Lightning right wing Adam Hall. It would be former Tampa Bay Lightning left wing Ryan Malone who would ultimately capitalize on the Power Play by redirecting a shot from Lightning captain Vincent Lecavalier to give the Bolts the early lead.

Unfortunately, the Tampa Bay Lightning would not be heading into the first intermission with the lead. With just a minute and a half left on the clock in the first period, the Capitals would capitalize (no pun intended) on a Power Play of their own with a goal from Capitals left wing Marco Sturm.

When these two teams hit the ice for the second period, it was the Tampa Bay Lightning who set the pace. Just under five minutes into the period, it would be Lightning left wing Sean Bergenheim who would score his first goal of the evening, making his way past Capitals netminder Michal Neuvirth with assists from Dominic Moore and Steve Downie.

It would be just over halfway through the period when the Lightning would strike again. Low and behold, it would be another goal from Sean Bergenheim. Once again, he would have the assist from former Tampa Bay Lightning center Dominic Moore.

Unfortunately, just over a minute later the Capitals would respond with a goal of their own. Capitals defenseman John Erskine would shoot the puck he picked up from the boards and send it sailing past Tampa Bay Lightning goaltender Dwayne Roloson to lessen the Lightning’s lead by one heading into the second intermission.

The Lightning would reassert their dominance over the Capitals in the early moments of the first period. Just over four minutes into the final twenty minutes of play, the Bolts would find themselves with the man advantage as Marco Sturm was sent to the penalty box for Goaltender Interference. Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Marc-Andre Bergeron would capitalize on the opportunity with the assistance of Steve Downie and Teddy Purcell.

As the final minutes of the period approached, the Lightning decided they weren’t done punishing the Capitals just yet. There was one last thing that needed to be done before the final buzzer would sound to end the game.

Tampa Bay Lightning right wing Teddy Purcell would relieve Capitals defenseman John Carlson of the puck in the neutral zone. Purcell would see Martin St. Louis rushing up the ice towards the Capitals net. Purcell hands the puck off to St. Louis who centers, takes his shot, and essentially seals the deal for the Tampa Bay Lightning.

The Washington Capitals would attempt to battle back with a late goal from Carlson, but it would be a case of too little, too late. The final buzzer would sound and the Tampa Bay Lightning would complete a series sweep of the Washington Capitals right here in Tampa Bay in front of the hometown fans.

As someone who was watching the game out on the plaza on that fine evening, we can remember the rush of adrenaline as fans began piling out of the then-St. Pete Times Forum to join the celebration. As usual, there were people who believed that such a thing simply couldn’t be done, but once again the Tampa Bay Lightning proved them all wrong.

Next: Tampa Bay Lightning Battle the Broad Street Bullies for the Eastern Conference Championship

Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

3. Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Philadelphia Flyers

Lightning clinch berth to Stanley Cup Finals with game seven win 

Saturday, May 22, 2004

If you were in Amalie Arena (then the St. Pete Times Forum) on this date in 2004, you will understand this when I say I have never been to a hockey game with as much passion and energy as the arena had on that night. This was not just any game, but the game that would determine if the Tampa Bay Lightning would earn their first trip to the Stanley Cup Finals for the first time in franchise history.

After falling to the Philadelphia Flyers 4-2 back in Philly in game six, the series would shift back to Tampa for the final game of the hard fought series. It was a game for the ages and one that will stay in the minds of Tampa Bay Lightning fans forever.

The Lightning would get on the board first when forward Ruslan Fedotenko redirected a Brad Richards point shot back Flyers goaltender Robert Esche. The team was able to capitalize on an early power play that would allow the young team to get on the board first in this pivotal game seven.

The Lightning were able to strike again in the second period when forward Fredrik Modin battled for a loose puck in front of the crease and was able to slam the puck past Esche. This goal by Modin would end up being the game winner as Philadelphia began to rally back later in the period.

The Flyers got on the board late in the second period when defenseman Kim Johnson cut toward the middle of  the ice and wristed a shot through the legs of Lightning goaltender Nikolai Khabibulin. As the team learned in game 6, the Flyers were too good of a team to sit back and play prevent defense after getting a lead. That goal by Philly woke up the team and allowed them to get back to the style of play that helped them get to this point.

EDITORIAL: Which Lightning Players Could Be Moved Before The Trade Deadline?

The Lightning took control of the third period by pressuring the Flyers defense and putting quality chances on frame against Esche. However, the Flyers goaltender was able to keep the deficit to one as he stopped all eight shots he faced in the period, including a point blank one timer from forward Brad Richards.

What won the game for the Lightning that night was not just the offense, but the still defense the team played throughout the night, especially in the third period. The Lightning defense, led by Darryl Sydor and Dan Boyle, were able to limit the Flyers to 23 shots in the game. Nikolai Khabibulin played outstanding, stopping 22/23 Flyer shots in the win.

This victory took a total team effort against a Flyers team who had many great scorers on the roster. It took everything they had, but the young Lightning team was able to capitalize on the chances they had and earned their first trip tot he Stanley Cup Finals. From there, we know the rest is history.

Next: A Heart-Stopping Double Overtime Victory

Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

2. Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Calgary Flames

Game 6 – Stanley Cup Finals

Saturday, June 5, 2004

The Tampa Bay Lightning undeniably had their best season during the 2003-2004 National Hockey League season. When the final buzzer sounded, the Tampa Bay Lightning ended the regular season with 46 wins, going 46-22-8-6 for a total of 106 points. Some may look at this as the end, but this was only the beginning for the Tampa Bay Lightning.

In the first round of the 2004 Stanley Cup Playoffs, the Tampa Bay Lightning would come face to face with New York Islanders. The Lightning would capture the first win in a 3-0 shutout win over the Isles, but the Islanders would come back to return the favor in Game 2. From that point, it was all about the Bolts as they would sweep the next three games and move on to the next round.

Next, the Tampa Bay Lightning would go head-to-head with an all-too-familiar for, the Montreal Canadiens. Thankfully for the Lightning, they wouldn’t have much difficulty with the Canadiens this year. Barring one game in which the Canadiens were able to take the Lightning to overtime, the Tampa Bay Lightning pulled out their brooms and swept the Canadiens and advanced to the Semi-Finals.

In the Semi-Finals, the Tampa Bay Lightning would have to face the hard-hitting, rough and tumble Philadelphia Flyers. This series went back and forth in what looked like a killer tennis match, but in the end it was the Tampa Bay Lightning who would emerge victorious and advance to the Stanley Cup Finals.

This is where the real fun began. Calgary took no time in showing the Tampa Bay Lightning that this was going to be an uphill battle for the Bolts. In Game 1, the Flames put a real beating on the new Eastern Conference Champions with a 4-1 win in what was formally known as the St. Pete Times Forum.

EDITORIAL: Which Lightning Players Could Be Moved By The Trade Deadline?

In Game 2, the Lightning returned the favor in front of their hometown crowd by defeating the Western Conference Champion Flames 4-1. In what looked to be another grueling tennis match, the Calgary Flames would deliver a 3-0 shutout win over the Bolts in Game 3. A favor that would be returned post haste by the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game 4 with a 1-0 shutout win over the Flames.

It would take an overtime period to decide a victor, but the Calgary Flames would throw the Tampa Bay Lightning against the wall with a 3-2 OT win at the St. Pete Times Forum. This would put the Lightning in a do or die position. If the Lightning were able to capture a win in Game 6, they would move on to Game 7 and have a chance to raise the Stanley Cup high above their heads. Lose, and their dreams would fade away into the night and the Calgary Flames would hoist the Cup up high.

The first period of Game 6 was an arduous one for both the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Calgary Flames. Each team would put six Shots on Goal, but neither team would be able to put the puck in the back of the net and earn the early lead for their team.

It wasn’t until the opening minutes of the second period that someone would finally break the ice. That someone would be former Tampa Bay Lightning center Brad Richards. With the assistance of former Tampa Bay Lightning captain Martin St. Louis and former Lightning post-season hero Ruslan Fedotenko, Richards would capitalize on the Power Play opportunity and bring the Bolts up by one.

Of course, it wouldn’t be long until the Flames would answer with a goal of their own. It would eventually be Calgary Flames right wing Chris Clark who would sink the puck past former Tampa Bay Lightning goaltender Nikolai Khabibulin and tie the game for the Flames.

Just under two minutes later, the Tampa Bay Lightning would once again find themselves with the man advantage. Flames center Craig Conway would make his way to the penalty box for Hooking former Tampa Bay Lightning captain Vincent Lecavalier. Once again, it would be Brad Richards who would capitalize on the opportunity and put the Bolts back out on top.

As the final minutes began to tick off the clock, the hearts of Tampa Bay Lightning fans everywhere collectively sank when Flames left wing Marcus Nilson would put the puck past Khabibulin and tie the game up for the Flames. At this point, the Tampa Bay Lightning knew the pressure was on. There was no try, this was a do or die situation for the Bolts.

Both the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Calgary Flames would put seven Shots on Goal in the third period, but once again neither team was able to pierce the other’s defenses and decide a victor in this crucial game.

It wasn’t until the second overtime period when Lightning would finally strike.

It was just a mere matter of seconds into the 2^nd Overtime period when the Tampa Bay Lightning would kick things into high gear. Brad Richards would play the puck into the zone as Martin St. Louis pursued the puck behind the net. Lightning center Tim Taylor would take the shot which was redirected by Richards, but it was deflected by Flames goaltender Miikka Kiprusoff in front of the net.

Then…it happened. Martin St. Louis dug deep for the rebound, pulled back his stick, and took the shot. Just like that, the puck sailed into the back of the net and the Tampa Bay Lightning would force a Game 7 and remain in the quest for the Stanley Cup.

There is only one more moment in Tampa Bay Lightning history we could possibly imagine could be better than forcing a Game 7 and moving on to a winner take all matchup for the Stanley Cup. We wonder what that could be.

Next: Lord Stanley Gets A Tan

Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

1. Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Calgary Flames

Game 7 – Stanley Cup Finals

Monday, June 7, 2004

Whether you have been a Tampa Bay Lightning fan since the very beginning when the Tampa Bay Lightning played at Expo Hall at the Florida State Fairgrounds, or if you’re a newcomer to the Lightning fandom in the last couple of years there is one moment in Tampa Bay Lightning history that shines like a beacon of light for all to see.

This singular moment is the moment in time when the Tampa Bay Lightning raised the Stanley Cup high above their heads for the very first time. To this day, the Tampa Bay Lightning are fighting to reclaim some semblance of this glory and once again have their names engraved on this legendary trophy of hockey excellence. The Tampa Bay Lightning came close last season, but ultimately fell just once game shy.

Much like the game that came before this epic Game 7, there was a lot of back and forth between the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Calgary Flames. The difference maker in this one was a young twenty-five year old left wing by the name of Ruslan Fedontenko.

Just after the halfway point in the first period, Fedotenko would sink the first goal of the game with the assistance of his teammates Brad Richards and Freddy Modin. The Lightning would hold the Flames to just three shots in the first period, preventing them from building any real offense against Lightning goaltender Nikolai Khabibulin.

In the second period, it would once again be the young winger from Kiev, Ukraine who would sink the puck past Calgary Flames netminder Miikka Kiprusoff and extend the Lightning’s lead to two points. Once again, the Tampa Bay Lightning would act like a brick wall against the Flames offense, holding them to a mere four shots in the second period.

In the third period, the Calgary Flames would turn on the afterburners and really push the Tampa Bay Lightning to the limit. Just before the halfway point in the third period, the Calgary Flames would finally make their mark on the scoresheet as they capitalized on the man-advantage with a goal from Flames center Craig Conroy.

As the final minutes continued to tick off the clock, the Tampa Bay Lightning knew they had to keep the pressure on the Flames if they wanted to win it all in front of their hometown crowd. Meanwhile, in the stands the Lightning faithful could feel the intensity of the moment they were about to bear witness to.

Suddenly, the happiness the fans felt inside turned to a slight case of fright as Lightning captain Dave Andreychuk was sent to the penalty box for two minutes on a Tripping call. Andreychuk, who had been waiting 22 years in the National Hockey League for this moment to finally come, would have to watch his team win (or potentially fail to obtain) the Stanley Cup from behind the glass in the penalty box.

Then…it happened.

Nikolai Khabibulin was able to deflect the last of the Calgary Flames offense, the final buzzer would sound, and the Tampa Bay Lightning would capture their first Stanley Cup Championship in franchise history.

Dave Andreychuk would finally get his moment on the ice as he held the Stanley Cup high above his head, and Brad Richards would win the Conn Smythe Trophy as the Most Valuable Player of the 2004 Stanley Cup Playoffs. To this very day, we still get tears in our eyes when we watch this epic battle between the Lightning and the Flames; especially when we think of the impact this win had on our franchise as a whole.

There is no denying this moment was the most memorable in Tampa Bay Lightning history to date. The Tampa Bay Lightning were still a very young franchise with a lot to prove to a league full of teams who still had doubts that a little team from Tampa, Florida could compete on the highest level in the National Hockey League. In typical Tampa Bay Lightning fashion, they proved all the haters wrong.

The Tampa Bay Lightning may be struggling right now, but if there is any team in the National Hockey League who has built a reputation upon proving their detractors wrong it is our Tampa Bay Lightning. They have plenty of work ahead of them, but we have no doubt in our minds there are plenty of Stanley Cup moments ahead for the Tampa Bay Lightning.