TAMPA -- After making the Eastern Conference Final for the first time in 20 years while eliminating the Pittsburgh Penguins, their postseason tormentors, the Washington Capitals' celebration seemed like it was never going to end.
"I think our players understood that getting past Pittsburgh, which has been a real source of pain in the Washington D.C. area for the last number of years and especially for that core group, was really important," said coach Barry Trotz.
But the party had to end. The Tampa Bay Lightning were rested, with five days off, and ready to take advantage of a Capitals team that expended too much emotional energy in their semifinal catharsis.