SB Nation NHL 2011 NHL Playoffs, Lightning Vs. Capitals
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Sean Bergenheim scores two goals as the the Capitals complete another Playoff implosion.
Two weeks ago, it looked as though Tampa Bay's appearance in the 2011 NHL playoffs would be no more than a brief cameo following a double-overtime loss to Pittsburgh.
Fast-forward to the present, and the Lightning are making their second-ever trip to the Eastern Conference finals.
Sean Bergenheim scored a pair of second-period goals and Tampa Bay completed just its second four-game sweep in postseason history with a 5-3 victory over the top-seeded Washington Capitals at St. Pete Times Forum.
Tampa blog Raw Charge thinks GM Steve Yzerman might be one of the MVPs for the Lightning right now.
GM Steve Yzerman has been very quiet this postseason, but he must be ecstatic about the playoff performances of the players he's acquired: Eric Brewer, Dwayne Roloson, the aforementioned Moore and Bergenheim, and even Marc-Andre Bergeron, who scored the goal that stood up as the game winner in the deciding game, all came through.
For the Caps it's time for apologies, excuses, and teeth-grinding. In Tampa Bay it's time for celebration and rest.
As for the Caps, at least they've got plenty of time to work on their golf game now.
Check out Raw Charge for more Tampa Bay celebration and Japers Rink for Washington demoralization.
The Washington Capitals were, for the second-consecutive season, were the NHL's Eastern Conference regular season champions, and for the second-consecutive season, they will not fulfill that promise. The Caps were just out-worked in every facet by the Tampa Bay Lightning. The Lightning have swept the Capitals with a 5-3 victory at the St. Pete Times Forum tonight, and will move on to the Eastern Conference Final for the first time since 2004, when they won the Stanley Cup. The Boston Bruins are one game away from making it a Boston-Tampa Eastern Final. The Capitals become the first #1 seed since this playoff format was adopted in 1994 to be swept out in the first two rounds.
Ryan Malone got another goal without taking a shot to open up Game 4, as Vincent Lecavalier threw a centering pass in front, and it went off the skate of Malone and past Michal Neuvirth at 12:37. It was Malone's third of the playoffs and second of the series, while Lecavalier got his series-leading sixth point in four games, and 12 points in the playoffs.
A fluky goal got Washington even, when Alexander Ovechkin drilled a shot that went off the pads of Dwayne Roloson, then ricocheted off of Marco Sturm, went over the top of Roloson, popped up in the air and off of his back to tie it 1-1 at 18:30, in what had to be one of the strangest goals of the playoffs. It was Sturm's first goal of the post-season, and took back what had been an all-Tampa game from Malone's goal till then.
The period was personified by dumb penalties that led to goals. Both clubs are 1-for-2 on the power play. Alexander Ovechkin took a terrible charging penalty that led to the Malone goal, while a Nate Thompson goaltender interference set up the Sturm tally. Sean Bergenheim is emerging as a John Druce-esque unsung playoff hero. Bergenheim's sixth and seventh goals in the second period has him half-way to Druce's 14 goals for the Washington Capitals in 1990.
Bergenheim's line, with Dominic Moore and Steve Downie (The DMB Line?) has put up terrific numbers in the post-season, as Downie now has nine assists. Both linemates set up Bergenheim for a wrister at 4:41 to make it 2-1 Lightning. Another Bergenheim wrister from Moore at 12:34 beat Michal Neuvirth to put Tampa Bay up 3-1 at 12:34. Sometimes an entire line can take flight for a playoff season, reminiscent of the A Line in New Jersey during the 2000 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
The Capitals got one back from a somewhat unlikely source. John Erskine ripped an unassisted wrist-shot past Dwayne Roloson at 13:40. The Lightning had a late-period power play chance to maybe finish the Caps for good, or at least make the distance more difficult, but the Capitals killed it off.
The Lightning put it away early on in the third period when Marco Sturm took an ill-advised goaltender interference penalties, the third of the game and second on the Capitals. Marc-Andre Bergeron is often considered a one-dimensional player, but that one dimension is his lethal slapper. He let one go that beat Michal Neuvirth to give Tampa their second power play goal of the game and, more importantly, a 4-2 lead. Martin St. Louis added a wicked snipe of a shot that just flat out beat Neuvirth at 16:52. It was one of those "This is over, boys" kind of shots. And, despite a John Carlson goal about a minute later at 17:54, it was. Tampa to round three with a 5-3 win.
Sean Bergenheim is emerging as a John Druce-esque unsung playoff hero. Bergenheim's sixth and seventh goals in the second period of Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Semifinal has him half-way to Druce's 14 goals for the Washington Capitals in 1990. Bergenheim's pair gives the Tampa Bay Lightning a 3-2 lead on those very same Capitals after two periods at the St. Pete Times Forum. Tampa is now one period from sweeping the series.
Bergenheim's line, with Dominic Moore and Steve Downie (The DMB Line?) has put up terrific numbers in the post-season, as Downie now has nine assists. Both linemates set up Bergenheim for a wrister at 4:41 to make it 2-1 Lightning. Another Bergenheim wrister from Moore at 12:34 beat Michal Neuvirth to put Tampa Bay up 3-1 at 12:34. Sometimes an entire line can take flight for a playoff season, reminiscent of the A Line in New Jersey during the 2000 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
The Capitals got one back from a somewhat unlikely source. John Erskine ripped an unassisted wrist-shot past Dwayne Roloson at 13:40. The Lightning had a late-period power play chance to maybe finish the Caps for good, or at least make the distance more difficult, but the Capitals killed it off. Still, Washington is 20 minutes away from what would be a potentially embarrassing elimination in Tampa Bay.
It was a quirky period that delivered four penalties and two goals, and the Tampa Bay Lightning leave the first period tied with the Washington Capitals in Game 4 of their Eastern Conference Semifinal series, which the Lightning lead 3-0 and can end with a win tonight.
Ryan Malone got another goal without taking a shot, as Vincent Lecavalier threw a centering pass in front, and it went off the skate of Malone and past Michal Neuvirth at 12:37. It was Malone's third of the playoffs and second of the series, while Lecavalier got his series-leading sixth point in four games, and 12 points in the playoffs.
A fluky goal got Washington even, when Alexander Ovechkin drilled a shot that went off the pads of Dwayne Roloson, then ricocheted off of Marco Sturm, went over the top of Roloson, popped up in the air and off of his back to tie it 1-1 at 18:30, in what had to be one of the strangest goals of the playoffs. It was Sturm's first goal of the post-season, and took back what had been an all-Tampa game from Malone's goal till then.
The period was personified by dumb penalties that led to goals. Both clubs are 1-for-2 on the power play. Alexander Ovechkin took a terrible charging penalty that led to the Malone goal, while a Nate Thompson goaltender interference set up the Sturm tally.
Well, who'd have thought we'd be here? After three one-goal wins (essentially), the Tampa Bay Lightning have found themselves simply outworking the Washington Capitals and grinding out victories. In a rare two games in two days circumstance, the Lightning look to end their series with the Caps on Wednesday night, which they currently lead 3-0. The two teams meet in Game 4 of their Eastern Conference Semifinal series at the St. Pete Times Forum.
Simon Gagne and Pavel Kubina are both out for the Lightning, who would do best to close things out. If they don't, they have to let it sit for two days before an early afternoon Saturday showdown in Washington for Game 5, and they'd like to get 41-year old netminder Dwayne Roloson (who is 7-3 in the post-season and has been one of their big keys to victory) some rest. They've been led in this series by their captain, Vincent Lecavalier, with three goals and five points. He's also tied for the team's playoff lead with five goals and 11 points. Teddy Purcell has led the team in assists with four against Washington.
As for the Capitals, it is do or die, and possibly win or see head coach Bruce Boudreau lose his job. Though the Washington bench boss vehemently dismissed any rumors that his job's on the line, you'd have to think the Caps hierarchy will at least consider a change if the Caps go down so quietly in this series. Mike Green is questionable for Game 4 after having been seen limping out of the rink. Sean Collins may replace him. Michal Neuvirth is expected to start.
We'll be here all evening with updates. Check out Raw Charge and Japers Rink for a local take. Enjoy the game.
From Long Island To Europe And Back, Sean Bergenheim's Tough Road To Postseason Glory
by Travis Hughes
It's taken nine years, but Sean Bergenheim is finally living up to the hype that surrounded him as a first-round draft pick. It took a trip to Europe and years of toil on Long Island, but now, he's a playoff hero.Continue reading »
May 05 12:02p