Lightning look ahead to Eastern Conference Final against Capitals

TAMPA (FOX 13) - While the Capitals took the day off today, the Lightning was back on the ice, after resting Monday.

Friday's Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Final will mark the third time the two teams have met in the postseason, and first since 2011. The Bolts got past them both times, but that's not a promise they'll do it again. 

"They're similar to us in [that] they've got a pretty deep lineup," said captain Steven Stamkos. "Obviously, a very lethal power play and some forwards that can really change the momentum of the game with how good they are. We're going to need rely on our depth as well and stay disciplined." 

Discipline. That's one thing the Lightning wished they had early on in their series against the Bruins.

"You can't expect to fall behind in a series and lose on home ice, and then come back in the fashion that we did," said Stamkos.

The Lightning won four straight games en route to the conference final. In both series against New Jersey and Boston, the Bolts won it in just five games. 

It's almost unheard of during the postseason that teams have as much time off between series as the Lightning have had during these playoffs. They had six days off after defeating the Devils before their first meeting with the Bruins. Ahead of their Eastern Conference Final series with the Capitals, they have four days off. That was a point of discussion at Tuesday's skate. 

"We just weren't as sharp," said Lightning head coach Jon Cooper. "We didn't have that edge you need to win playoff games." 

"Yeah, I thought we came out a little flat in the first game against Boston after all that rest," said Stamkos. "That was a little bit of a wakeup call to not let that happen again and just to have the right mindset going into the game." 

It was better to have that wakeup call earlier in the playoffs. All of the rest the Bolts have gotten is of course a good thing, but they're only halfway to reaching their goal.

"It's crazy to think that it takes 16 wins and we've only made eight," said forward Chris Kunitz, who's won four Stanley Cup titles with the Anaheim Ducks and Pittsburgh Penguins. "They're going to get down to four teams and it's still, you're only halfway up the hill to get all the way there." 

It's still a long eight wins to go.

Eastern Conference Final schedule vs. Capitals: 

Game 1: Friday May 11, 8 p.m., Tampa
Game 2: Sunday May 13, 8 p.m., Tampa
Game 3: Tuesday May 15, 8 p.m., Washington
Game 4: Thursday May 17, 8 p.m. Washington
Game 5 (if necessary): Saturday May 19, 7:15 p.m., Tampa
Game 6 (if necessary): Monday May 21, 8 p.m., Washington
Game 7 (if necessary): Wednesday May 23, 8 p.m., Tampa