(Tampa Bay) Lightning Strikes First In Semi-Final Series Vs The Pittsburgh Penguins

The Tampa Bay Lightning scored the game’s first three goals and defeated the Pittsburgh Penguins in their NHL semi-final opener.

Tampa Bay (2-1) in previous semi-final series, advanced to the NHL finals last season but lost to the Chicago Blackhawks in 6 games.

Last year the Lightning, who have opened 3 of their 4 “semis” on the road lost game 1 but won the series in 7 games vs the New York Rangers.

The previous 3 Lightning semi-final series went the maximum 7 games. The Lightning with home ice advantage won in 7 vs the Philadelphia Flyers in 2004 and then beat the Calgary Flames at home in game 7 to win the Stanley Cup.

In 2011, the Boston Bruins won game 7 of the “semis” at home vs the Lighning before winning game 7 of the finals at Vancouver, vs the Canucks to win their first Stanley Cup in 39 years.