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Pittsburgh Penguins Defeat Tampa Bay Lightning, Advance To Stanley Cup Finals

By Aly Dhanani

May 2, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins goalie Matt Murray (30) and right wing Patric Hornqvist (72) celebrate after defeating the Washington Capitals in game three of the second round of the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the CONSOL Energy Center. The Pens won 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
May 2, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins goalie Matt Murray (30) and right wing Patric Hornqvist (72) celebrate after defeating the Washington Capitals in game three of the second round of the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the CONSOL Energy Center. The Pens won 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /
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Pittsburgh Penguins Defeat Tampa Bay Lightning 2-1, Advance To Stanley Cup Finals: Steven Stamkos’ Last Game With TB?

The Pittsburgh Penguins have advanced to the final round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

With a 2-1 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning, the Pens are in the Stanley Cup Finals for the first time since 2009.

It’s been no easy path to the finals, with Pittsburgh dominating the New York Rangers in round one, squeaking by Presidents Trophy winner Washington Capitals, and beating the Lightning in a one goal nail biter.

They will face the San Jose Sharks in game 1 on Monday, June 30th.

May 26, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly (L) presents the Prince of Wales trophy to Pittsburgh Penguins left wing Chris Kunitz (14), center Sidney Crosby (C), and center Evgeni Malkin (71) after defeating the Tampa Bay Lightning 2-1 to win the Eastern Conference Championship in game seven of the Eastern Conference Final of the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the CONSOL Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
May 26, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly (L) presents the Prince of Wales trophy to Pittsburgh Penguins left wing Chris Kunitz (14), center Sidney Crosby (C), and center Evgeni Malkin (71) after defeating the Tampa Bay Lightning 2-1 to win the Eastern Conference Championship in game seven of the Eastern Conference Final of the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the CONSOL Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /

The 2015-16 Pittsburgh Penguins are a much different team than in the past 5 years.

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Their season has been among the most eventful in years. Jim Rutherford has been one of the more active GM’s since the end of 2014-15, acquiring Phil Kessel, Nick Bonino, Carl Hagelin, & and Justin Schultz in less than 10 months.

Let’s not forget that winger Pascal Dupuis was forced to retire due to blood clot issues, and coach Mike Johnson was fired.

Ever since January 2016, the Pens have been unstoppable. They racked up two winning streaks more than 7 games in the final months of the season and ended the regular season with a 8-1-0 record.

May 24, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins goalie Matt Murray (30) makes a save against the Tampa Bay Lightning during the third period in game six of the Eastern Conference Final of the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Amalie Arena. The Pittsburgh Penguins won 5-2. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
May 24, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins goalie Matt Murray (30) makes a save against the Tampa Bay Lightning during the third period in game six of the Eastern Conference Final of the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Amalie Arena. The Pittsburgh Penguins won 5-2. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /

Perhaps the biggest story line’s in the Pens postseason run? The emergence of 22-year-old goaltender Matt Murray. 

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Murray tore up the AHL in his pro rookie season last year, breaking the AHL shutout streak record.

This year he was once again an elite goalie in the Pens farm system and was outstanding filling in while Marc-Andre Fleury was out with a concussion.

Murray has continued his excellent play into the postseason, coming up clutch in elimination games, gaining the players trust.

With the Tampa Bay Lighting now out of the playoffs, it only gets more difficult from here.

Star centre Steven Stamkos, who returned after a 21 game absence (blood clot) is a pending UFA and is yet to be re-signed. Trade rumors are bound to blow up as the Lighting once again fall just out of reach from the cup.

May 26, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Tampa Bay Lightning center Steven Stamkos (91) shakes hands with Pittsburgh Penguins right wing Patric Hornqvist (72) following game seven of the Eastern Conference Final of the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Consol Energy Center. Pittsburgh won 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Don Wright-USA TODAY Sports
May 26, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Tampa Bay Lightning center Steven Stamkos (91) shakes hands with Pittsburgh Penguins right wing Patric Hornqvist (72) following game seven of the Eastern Conference Final of the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Consol Energy Center. Pittsburgh won 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Don Wright-USA TODAY Sports /

Teams rumored to be interested in Stamkos:

New York Islanders (source: Elliotte Friedman)

Montreal Canadiens (logical fit)

Vancouver Canucks (rumored to be top suitors for Stamkos)

St. Louis Blues (logical fit)

Buffalo Sabres (logical fit)

Toronto Maple Leafs (do I even need to say anything…)

Next: San Jose Sharks Advance to Cup Final for 1st Time

As you can see, there will be no shortage of teams vying for Stamkos services if he hits the trading block or open market. How do you thing the Stammer saga plays out? What is your prediction for the Stanley Cup Final?

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