Tampa Bay Lightning Look To Advance To Cup Final In Game 6

By Will Clewis |

Don Wright-USA TODAY Sports

After another quick overtime victory on the road, the Tampa Bay Lightning find themselves in a similar situation almost one year later: the chance to advance to the Stanley Cup Final in Game 6 with a 3-2 series lead.

The “butt goal” in OT. Tampa Bay Lightning fans will remember the time when defenseman Jason Garrison‘s shot deflected off Tyler Johnson‘s back side and went into the net past Pittsburgh Penguins goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury. It was definitely an odd way to win the game, but nonetheless, the goal gave the Lightning a 3-2 series lead in the Eastern Conference Final.

Now, the team that advanced to last year’s Stanley Cup Final will have the chance to return and contend for the second straight season. The last two teams to make a return trip to the Final were the Penguins and Detroit Red Wings in 2009.

The Lightning will face a similar task tonight at Amalie Arena: the opportunity to clinch a berth in the Cup Final in Game 6. The team was up 3-2 at home last season with a chance to eliminate the New York Rangers, but collapsed under pressure and lost the game 7-3. We all know what happened after that, as the Lightning won 2-0 in Game 7 at Madison Square Garden.

Maybe this year’s squad learned a lesson from that sixth game almost one year ago. If they have, the city could be celebrating a victory and a return to final round of the postseason. If not, it’s back to Pittsburgh for an always nerve-wracking Game 7 with much at stake.

In order for the Lightning to advance, there are few key things that need to happen once the puck drops shortly after 8 P.M.

Despite being back home with a raucous and electric crowd behind them, the Lightning learned last year that desperation comes in many forms and the Rangers clearly displayed that in Game 6, bouncing the home team by an aforementioned score of 7-3. They need to match the desperation level of the Penguins and maintain complete focus on the task at hand.

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With so much build up and excitement before Game 6 last year, the Lightning might have had the wrong mindset heading into that game and let it slip away big time. From that experience, the hope is that they’ll play an elimination style game like Game 5 of the New York Islanders series, when they handily beat the opposition behind overall strong play and Ben Bishop‘s 28-save shutout.

The Lightning haven’t missed a beat in goal, even without Bishop, because of Andrei Vasilevskiy‘s strong play in net. For Game 6, it’ll be important to ease the pressure off of Vasilevskiy and play well defensively in front of him. This is all assuming Bishop doesn’t play, and he likely won’t.

Secondly, the Lightning can’t find themselves down early in a hole, trying to climb back into the game. I know this has been repeated many times, but it’s especially important tonight. The Penguins will be desperate to grab any lead they can and hold onto it for dear life.

Related Story: NHL Playoffs: Lightning vs. Penguins Game 5 full highlights, final score and more

This is where timeliness comes in. If the Lightning can play like they did in periods one and two of Game 4 and maintain that level of play throughout the game, then they can slowly break down the Penguins’ morale and continue to push possession. Sitting back really isn’t an option if they desire to win, unless Vasilevskiy comes out and puts on a Bishop elimination-game type of performance.

As we’ve seen throughout the playoffs, the Lightning do well with a lead, but can also mount a comeback and win in overtime, when the opportunity presents itself. It’s all a part of the team’s never-say-die attitude and they know not to hit the panic button if a game seems out of reach.

I fully expect the Penguins to come out with everything they have, so it’ll be important to regulate how much time is spent in their own zone. Pittsburgh is a quick team and they have an aggressive forecheck, especially when their third and fourth lines are on the ice. With that, the Lightning need to play strong along the boards, limit the turnovers, and have clean breakouts from their own zone.

Controlling the neutral zone and establishing a physical presence will help create turnovers and aide their transition game, likely resulting in additional offensive zone time and scoring chances. Also, the Lightning over-passed the puck at some points during Game 5 and making those adjustments will only benefit the transition game.

Though I don’t think tonight’s Game 6 will result in a shutout for either team, I do believe it will be another close game, as that has been the trend this series. Neither team has won a game by more than two goals.

Finally, the starter in goal for Pittsburgh in Game 6 is still unclear, but the public will know by sometime today. Coach Mike Sullivan has a big decision of whether to give Marc-Andre Fleury, who allowed 4 goals on 25 shots in Game 5, or rookie Matt Murray the nod to start. These are just some of the big questions and concerns leading into the highly anticipated elimination game.

This is a huge game for the Tampa Bay Lightning and its fans. Both the team and the city are hungry for another championship, as the most recent title won by a local team was back in 2004 when the Lightning brought home the Cup, of course. This year’s squad wants another shot at claiming hockey’s ultimate prize and they have the skill and determination to do so. The only thing in their way is a Penguins team on the ropes, ready to send this series to a Game 7 back in Pittsburgh.

Next: Tampa Bay Lightning Strikes In Overtime To Defeat Penguins

But, the Lightning have been through this situation before and can see the light at the end of the tunnel. Now, it’s just a matter of execution. We’ll see what happens in this pivotal Game 6.

For those of you watching at home or listening on the radio, the game will be broadcast nationally on the NBC Sports Network and on Lightning Radio, station 970 WFLA. Puck drop is slated for a bit after 8 P.M.

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