Tampa Bay Lightning fans react to advancing to Eastern Conference Final

There is plenty for Tampa Bay Lightning fans to be excited about as the Bolts defeat the Boston Bruins 3-1 and advance to the Eastern Conference Final.

Today is definitely a good day here in the Bolts Nation. After a rocky start in Game 1, the Tampa Bay Lightning came back to win the next four games in a row, which culminated with yesterday’s 3-1 victory over the Boston Bruins. Now, the Bolts are headed to the Eastern Conference Final for the third time in the last four years.

As you can imagine, emotions are running high here in the Sunshine State. From the beginning, Lightning fans were told their season was about to be over. There was no chance the Bolts were going to get past the big, bad Bruins. Well, things aren’t always what they seem and with enough hard work, anything is possible.

In all honesty, there was more than a little nervousness going on in the early moments of the game on Sunday afternoon. Throughout the course of the postseason, the team who scored first emerged victorious. When the Bruins scored the first goal of the game on the Power Play, everyone was quick to point this out.

Tampa Bay Lightning

Thankfully, the Lightning has quickly become the masters of their own destiny and was able to bend history to their will and break the cycle. Now, the only thing on the minds of the players is who they will face in the Eastern Conference Final.

Tonight, the players may get their answer as the Washington Capitals take on the Pittsburgh Penguins in Game 6. Right now, the Capitals hold a 3-2 series lead over the defending Stanley Cup Champions.

After the buzzer sounded at the Amalie Arena in the heart of Downtown Tampa, the Lightning faithful couldn’t hold back their excitement and quickly turned to social media to share their feelings about the Bolts making their way to the next round. Let’s take a look at what some of you here in the Bolts Nation had to say.

Spoiler Alert: People are pretty darn excited.

https://twitter.com/RonKPaar/status/993256457087877120

https://twitter.com/SoKrispy1528/status/993257524265738243

https://twitter.com/SportsLogic82/status/993482066993000448

https://twitter.com/MrsRainbowZebra/status/993308345372151808

Of course, what reaction post would be complete without some input from our favorite mascot in the whole wide world, Thunder Bug?

The Tampa Bay Lightning may have overcome a huge hurdle yesterday by sending the Boston Bruins back to Beantown with their tee times already booked, but the journey is far from over.

When the Eastern Conference Final starts later this week, the Lightning will either be faced with an opponent who is desperate to break a postseason curse or the defending Stanley Cup Champions. Neither road is going to be an easy one, but if the Bolts have taught us anything this season it’s to never lose faith.

Speaking of faith…

The Tampa Bay Lightning has faced their fair share of adversity this season, and even an unsolicited licking, but the Bolts have continued to prove why they are a force to be reckoned with and will not be easily dismissed. One of their biggest challenges is on the horizon.

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The quest for the Stanley Cup and the team who eventually raises it high above their heads will all come down to who wants it the most. After missing the postseason last year, you can bet your beer money the Tampa Bay Lightning, along with everyone here in the Bolts Nation, wants this pretty bad.