DETROIT — A year ago, the Tampa Bay Lightning were swept in the first round of the playoffs. Now here were the Bolts, after the best regular season in franchise history, facing elimination in the first round again. An octopus flew from the stands, a Detroit tradition. The fans roared, smelling an upset.
But the Bolts didn’t buckle Monday night. They beat the Red Wings, 5-2, and forced a Game 7 – making plays, scoring goals, killing penalties, keeping their composure. They took a 3-0 lead. They didn’t lose it as they paraded to the box.