Tampa Bay advance to the conference finals – Aftonbladet

NEW YORK. Tampa Bay Lightning are ready for the conference finals of the Stanley Cup playoffs.

They beat out Montreal Canadiens with a convincing 4-1 victory last night.

– It was like a “Game 7″ for us and we did probably our best match in the whole playoffs at exactly the right time, says Victor Hedman Sportbladet .

“He bought a summer home for the family, and the plot next to”

The Montreal Canadiens managed to take two victories after reaching the hopeless 0-3 underdog in the series against Tampa, but closer than that they came so not in the attempt to get up to historical usage.

Lightning was too good at home Tampa Bay Times Forum in the sixth game of the night, had a 3-0 lead late in the second period and eventually won 4-1.

– We talked before about this was like a “Game 7 “for us. We had certainly had a chance but did not really want to go back to Montreal again, says Victor Hedman when we reach him afterwards.

– As we promised each other to raise our game and we really did. It was our best match in the whole playoffs, I think. We kept ourselves completely to plan, played really tight back and then we have the guys who can score when they get the chance.

Proud Strålman

countryman Anton Strålman agree.

– Yes, this game and seventh game against the Detroit like I was right equal. Best had probably been if we could close the series before, but we are tap-dancing up at the right time. I’m proud of the guys, he says.

forced into surgery

A noteworthy detail is that Bolt had to do without fighter Ryan Callahan. He suffered appendicitis the night before the match and was forced to surgery.

– That’s right sick that happening right now, but it was that it gave us extra motivation. We played for him, he is such an important part of our team. Fortunately, it looks like he might be involved when the next series starts, says “Vigge”.

The series – Eastern Conference finals – will Tampa to get waging against either the New York Rangers and Washington Capitals.

“Have no wishful opponents’

Which of them it will be decided in a Game 7 drama at Madison Square Garden next night.

– It does not matter who we get, we have no wishful opponent. The teams that play the conference finals is the last four that are left, so they are all very well, says Hedman.

Anton Strålman himself played with the Rangers last season – and was with and beat the Montreal then also, incidentally – and have had great fun during the three straight league games he has been struck and the former teammates.

– Yes, and it would go well in a playoff series against them, it would of course fun. However, it is bad it is all the sadder. Oh, it does not matter. It will be very fun to play the conference finals again, he says.

“He bought a summer home for the family, and the plot next to”