Lightning face elimination for the first time

[Jets GM]

Tampa Bay, FL (AP) - The new look Lightning's first play-off experience may becoming to an abrupt end tonight in Montreal. After silencing the Boston Bruins in five games, the Lightning are faced with a similar situation. After dropping two in a row at home, and three of four, the Lightning must be victorious in game five to extend their season. However, the Bolt's players don't seem fazed by the monumental task in front of them. "What a honour, what a privilege, a young group of men getting to fight for their play-off life in the Bell Centre. Where else would you want to be on a Monday night?" responds head coach Dave Andreychuck.

The Lightning can't blame their woes on their depth players. Cole Ully, a 5th round pick in last years EHEC entry draft, and Justin Abdelkader have provided secondary scoring. "Our better players have to be better" joked assistant coach Vincent Lecavalier. "Things start to slip, and then happy really fast. You have to try to remain calm, and think about how to get yourself in a position where you have the advantage." Young stars Tyler Segiun and Cam Fowler will be looked upon to score a big goal to decide the game, cementing their arrival as elite EHEC talent. "Of course your nervous, but when your nervous that means opportunity is there" says veteran Todd Fedoruk.

It's not an impossible task in front of Tampa Bay. They need to look no further than their opponent the Montreal Canadiens. After falling behind 3-0 in their opening round series, the Habs battled back to force a game 7 and went home victorious. In addition, the Lightning possess an infamous come from behind 3-1 series of their own during the EHEC inaugural season. Former Lighting captain Vincent Lecavalier recalls the feeling in the room after losing game 5 in Boston. "We were all just so devastated. No one could say anything in the locker room after. We just sat there." The Lightning remained sombre until a post-game comment aired that night. "Their GM came out and was talking to the media about how comfortable and happy they were headed home. We all went, you know what? Were going to rain on that guys parade. Were going to crash his party, and we did." After defeating the Bruins, the Lighting beat the Nashville Predators in five games to win the EHEC Stanley Cup.

Puck drop is approximately 11PM ET (???).