Steven Stamkos scored two goals and the two-time defending champion Tampa Bay Lightning are headed to the Stanley Cup final for the third straight year after beating the visiting New York Rangers 2-1 in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference final on Saturday night.
Stamkos put the Lightning ahead for good in the third period just 21 seconds after New YorkB´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·™s Frank Vatrano scored on the power play with the Lightning captain in the penalty box for holding.
Nikita Kucherov and Ondrej Palat assisted on the winner with 6 1/2 minutes left, with the puck deflecting off StamkosB´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·™ knee into the net after Rangers goalie Igor Shesterkin stopped the initial shot. Stamkos also scored on a wrist shot from the top of the right circle midway through the second period.
Andrei Vasilevskiy finished with 20 saves for the Lightning, who won the series 4-2 B´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·” rattling off four straight victories after losing the first two games on the road B´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·” to advance to the Stanley Cup final against the Colorado Avalanche.
Game 1 is Wednesday night in Denver.
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
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