Kessel, Penguins look to close out Sharks in Game 5
Phil Kessel insists nothing has changed. Not his game. Not his attitude. Not the shape of his body or his commitment to winning.
Phil Kessel insists nothing has changed. Not his game. Not his attitude. Not the shape of his body or his commitment to winning.
Lack of scoring opportunities haunt Sharks in Game 4
The Pittsburgh Penguins scored a power-play goal less than three minutes into the second period, opening a two-goal lead. The San Jose Sharks didn't even take their first shot of the period until a little over seven minutes later.
The Pittsburgh Penguins scored a power-play goal less than three minutes into the second period, opening a two-goal lead. The San Jose Sharks didn't even take their first shot of the period until a little over seven minutes later.
Penguins edge Sharks 2-1, take 2-0 lead in Stanley Cup Final
Sidney Crosby enters the faceoff circle with a plan every time, well aware it will almost certainly evaporate once the puck smacks the ice.
Sidney Crosby enters the faceoff circle with a plan every time, well aware it will almost certainly evaporate once the puck smacks the ice.
Penguins top Lightning 2-1 to advance to Stanley Cup Final
The hours before the biggest game of Bryan Rust's life were restless. The nap he tried to sneak in never materialized. The Pittsburgh Penguins forward's mind was simply too busy. "I was just sitting up there looking at the ceiling," Rust said.
The hours before the biggest game of Bryan Rust's life were restless. The nap he tried to sneak in never materialized. The Pittsburgh Penguins forward's mind was simply too busy. "I was just sitting up there looking at the ceiling," Rust said.
Kucherov's excellence driving Lightning against Penguins
The bigger the playoff moment, the more Nikita Kucherov shines. The young Russian has a knack for scoring when Tampa Bay needs it most, which is one of the reasons the Lightning are within one victory of reaching the Stanley Cup final for the second straight year.
The bigger the playoff moment, the more Nikita Kucherov shines. The young Russian has a knack for scoring when Tampa Bay needs it most, which is one of the reasons the Lightning are within one victory of reaching the Stanley Cup final for the second straight year.
Johnson's OT deflection lifts Lightning over Penguins 4-3
Tyler Johnson turned toward the net, wary of taking another shot to his already battered face.
Tyler Johnson turned toward the net, wary of taking another shot to his already battered face.
Crosby, Kessel help Penguins beat Lightning 4-2 in Game 3
Sidney Crosby, Phil Kessel and Chris Kunitz scored third-period goals, helping the Pittsburgh Penguins beat the Tampa Bay Lightning 4-2 in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference finals Wednesday night.
Sidney Crosby, Phil Kessel and Chris Kunitz scored third-period goals, helping the Pittsburgh Penguins beat the Tampa Bay Lightning 4-2 in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference finals Wednesday night.
Confident Lightning feel Penguins haven't see their best
The Tampa Bay Lightning are back home after splitting the first two games of the Eastern Conference finals, feeling good about themselves, though hardly satisfied. "We've got to play better to win this series, there's no doubt," coach Jon Cooper said Tuesday, adding the team has yet to "put our best foot forward" against the Pittsburgh Penguins.
The Tampa Bay Lightning are back home after splitting the first two games of the Eastern Conference finals, feeling good about themselves, though hardly satisfied. "We've got to play better to win this series, there's no doubt," coach Jon Cooper said Tuesday, adding the team has yet to "put our best foot forward" against the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Crosby's overtime winner lifts Penguins by Lightning 3-2
Sidney Crosby wasn't sure Bryan Rust saw him, so the Pittsburgh Penguins captain gave his impromptu linemate a quick yell just to make sure.
Sidney Crosby wasn't sure Bryan Rust saw him, so the Pittsburgh Penguins captain gave his impromptu linemate a quick yell just to make sure.
Penguins, Lightning off to chippy start in conference finals
So much for niceties and the promise of fluid, free-flowing hockey. In the span of three testy periods Friday night, the Eastern Conference finals flipped from benign to occasionally belligerent.
So much for niceties and the promise of fluid, free-flowing hockey. In the span of three testy periods Friday night, the Eastern Conference finals flipped from benign to occasionally belligerent.
Lightning and Penguins set for East finals
On the calendar, the gap between the last time the Pittsburgh Penguins and Tampa Bay Lightning met and Friday night's Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals is less than three months. Within the lifespan of a season, it seems a lot longer.
On the calendar, the gap between the last time the Pittsburgh Penguins and Tampa Bay Lightning met and Friday night's Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals is less than three months. Within the lifespan of a season, it seems a lot longer.
Hedman, Bishop lead Lightning back to East final
Victor Hedman and Ben Bishop lifted the Tampa Bay Lightning into the Eastern Conference final for the second straight year.
Victor Hedman and Ben Bishop lifted the Tampa Bay Lightning into the Eastern Conference final for the second straight year.
Jaromir Jagr returning to Florida Panthers on 1-year deal
Jaromir Jagr is returning to the Florida Panthers. The 44-year-old has agreed to a one-year contract to return to the club. The team announced the agreement Thursday. Jagr had a team-best 66 points this season. The Panthers won the Atlantic Division title and set franchise records for points and wins, before falling in the first round of the playoffs to the New York Islanders.
Jaromir Jagr is returning to the Florida Panthers. The 44-year-old has agreed to a one-year contract to return to the club. The team announced the agreement Thursday. Jagr had a team-best 66 points this season. The Panthers won the Atlantic Division title and set franchise records for points and wins, before falling in the first round of the playoffs to the New York Islanders.
Boyle's OT goal lifts Lightning past Islanders 5-4 in Game 3
Brian Boyle delivered a hard hit and then took advantage of a lucky carom to get the Tampa Bay Lightning a big playoff win.
Brian Boyle delivered a hard hit and then took advantage of a lucky carom to get the Tampa Bay Lightning a big playoff win.
Johnson has 2 goals and assist, Lightning beat Islanders 4-1
Tyler Johnson continues to have postseason success. Johnson had two goals and an assist and the Tampa Bay Lightning beat the New York Islanders 4-1 on Saturday to even the second-round series at a game apiece.
Tyler Johnson continues to have postseason success. Johnson had two goals and an assist and the Tampa Bay Lightning beat the New York Islanders 4-1 on Saturday to even the second-round series at a game apiece.
Tavares, Prince lead Islanders past Lightning 5-3 in Game 1
The New York Islanders know they've yet to see the best of the Tampa Bay Lightning and Vezina Trophy finalist Ben Bishop.
The New York Islanders know they've yet to see the best of the Tampa Bay Lightning and Vezina Trophy finalist Ben Bishop.
Stamkos skates, but not close to returning to Lightning
Steven Stamkos is serving as an inspiration for the Tampa Bay Lightning as the defending Eastern Conference champions attempt to make a deep playoff run without him. The team's captain and leading scorer was back on the ice with teammates Tuesday, participating in shooting and skating drills for the first time since undergoing surgery for a blood clot discovered...
Steven Stamkos is serving as an inspiration for the Tampa Bay Lightning as the defending Eastern Conference champions attempt to make a deep playoff run without him. The team's captain and leading scorer was back on the ice with teammates Tuesday, participating in shooting and skating drills for the first time since undergoing surgery for a blood clot discovered...
Florida Panthers eliminated from playoffs
The New York Islanders' long playoff drought is over. John Tavares tied the score in the final minute of regulation and got the winner at 10:41 of the second overtime, leading the Islanders past the Florida Panthers 2-1 Sunday night and into the second round for the first time since 1993.
The New York Islanders' long playoff drought is over. John Tavares tied the score in the final minute of regulation and got the winner at 10:41 of the second overtime, leading the Islanders past the Florida Panthers 2-1 Sunday night and into the second round for the first time since 1993.
Bishop shines, Lightning eliminate Red Wings in 5 games
The defending Eastern Conference champions eliminated the Detroit Red Wings from the Stanley Cup playoffs in five games with a 1-0 victory on Thursday night.
The defending Eastern Conference champions eliminated the Detroit Red Wings from the Stanley Cup playoffs in five games with a 1-0 victory on Thursday night.
Petrovic scores tiebreaker as Panthers beat Islanders 2-1
After a tough overtime loss two nights earlier, the Florida Panthers were focused on picking up their defensive intensity in Game 4.
After a tough overtime loss two nights earlier, the Florida Panthers were focused on picking up their defensive intensity in Game 4.