TAMPA, Fla. -- The Tampa Bay Lightning eliminated the New York Islanders from the second round of the 2016 Stanley Cup playoffs with a 4-0 victory in Game 5 on Sunday at Amalie Arena.
How it happened: Lightning defenseman Victor Hedman is now in the Conn Smythe conversation. He scored two goals and now has four this postseason and a total of nine points in 10 games. He was an absolute beast in this series and proving why he’s a world-class, two-way defenseman. If the Lightning can return to the Stanley Cup finals, it will be because of Hedman and goalie Ben Bishop, who posted his fifth career postseason shutout with a 28-save performance. The Islanders did not play like a desperate team and the Lightning took advantage on Hedman's first goal at 13:49 of the first period. Teammate Brian Boyle scored a highlight-reel goal at 18:41 of the first. Hedman added his second goal, a power-play tally, at 4:22 of the second period. Islanders captain John Tavares had a tough first period and never got into a groove. He was held without a point after Game 1. The Lightning’s Nikita Kucherov scored his ninth goal of the postseason in 10 games.
What it means: The Lightning return to the Eastern Conference finals for the second consecutive season. Since the other series between the Pittsburgh Penguins and Washington Capitals is still going (the Penguins hold a 3-2 series lead with Game 6 Tuesday in Pittsburgh), it means that the Lightning will have a few extra days to rest. It could also mean the return of captain Steven Stamkos and veteran defenseman Anton Stralman to the lineup. Stamkos has been sidelined since having surgery to remove a blood clot near his collarbone on April 4. Stralman fractured his left leg on March 25, but he is close to returning. For the Islanders, reaching the second round was quite an accomplishment and that experience will help a young team moving forward.
