For the third time in four years, the Tampa Bay Lightning are in the Eastern Conference Final and the Washington Capitals are in their first ECF in 20 years.
The two teams meet in Game 1 of the ECF on Friday at Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida.
Tampa Bay earned its spot in the ECF by dispatching New Jersey and Boston in five games each. Washington has faced a tougher road, rallying from a 0-2 deficit to beat Columbus and needing six games again to eliminate the two-time reigning Stanley Cup champion Pittsburgh.