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Tap. Tap. Tap. BANG!
The two-time defending Stanley Cup champion Lightning drove the final nail in the Panthers’ coffin Monday, defeating them 2-0 to complete a four-game sweep of their NHL Eastern Conference semifinal series.
The Lightning awaits the winner of the series between Carolina and the New York Rangers, while the Panthers can begin booking tee times. Carolina leads 2-1.
Florida entered the series as the top-seeded team, but Lightning goalie Andre Vasilevskiy stifled the Panthers’ high-flying offense. Florida scored just three goals in four games.
“They’re Stanley Cup champions for a reason,” Panthers interim coach Andrew Brunette said.
– Joe Henderson, Extensive Enterprises
