Tampa Bay Lightning
Lightning beat writer Erik Erlendsson breaks down the Eastern Conference final series between Tampa Bay and the New York Rangers
FORWARDS
LIGHTNING: That Line of Tyler Johnson, Nikita Kucherov and Ondrej Palat has accounted for half of the Lightning’s 34 goals in the playoffs. Steven Stamkos was cold in the first round, with only three assists, but had three goals and four assists in the second and has a five-game point streak. Known for speed and skill, Tampa Bay also has grit with Brian Boyle, Cedric Paquette and Ryan Callahan. The forward group is deep and dangerous, as coach Jon Cooper can send out any line in any situation.