Lightning set for fifth Game 7 in team history

By foxsports
Published

TAMPA, Fla. -- Despite all the attention placed on Game 7 by voices from the outside, the Tampa Bay Lightning are trying to block out the static.

"I actually slept pretty good," said center Tyler Johnson, who leads the Lightning with six goals and seven points in their Eastern Conference quarterfinals series against the Detroit Red Wings. "I'm excited. These are fun times. Playoffs are exciting. It's what you grew up training so hard for, playing in these situations. So it's going to be fun playing tonight."

The Lightning host the Red Wings in the decisive game of their best-of-seven series Wednesday night at Amalie Arena. It will mark the fifth Game 7 in Tampa Bay's history, with the Lightning owning a 3-1 mark in such games entering the finale of their physical series with Detroit.

History says the Lightning could benefit from this game being played on home ice. The Lightning are 2-0 at home in Game 7 matchups. All four of the decisive games in which Tampa Bay has been involved have been determined by one goal, with the most recent being a 1-0 loss to the Boston Bruins in the Eastern Conference Finals in 2011.

"I slept all right," Lightning goaltender Ben Bishop said. "It will be interesting to see if I can take a pregame nap.

"I've been a part of a couple series (with a Game 7) as a backup. But obviously playing, there are a little bit more emotions involved. There have been some highs and some lows, but I think you learn something every game."

Added center Brian Boyle: "Same old. Exciting. We're playing in the playoffs."

Tampa Bay could benefit from a notable absence. The NHL suspended Detroit defenseman Niklas Kronwall for charging winger Nikita Kucherov in the second period of the Lightning's victory in Game 6. Red Wings coach Mike Babcock refused to comment on the situation, saying he wanted to avoid being fined.

"For us, it changes nothing," Tampa Bay coach Jon Cooper said. "Detroit is going to dress 20 players. Our job is to beat the Detroit Red Wings. We have a game plan in place."

You can follow Andrew Astleford on Twitter @aastleford or email him at aastleford@gmail.com.