With a 3-1 victory in Game Five, the Tampa Bay Lightning have licked the Boston Bruins, eliminating them and advancing to the Conference Finals, where the Bolts will play the winner of the Washington Capitals and Pittsburgh Penguins series, which the Caps lead 3-2.

David Krecji gave Boston an early lead, but Brayden Point tied it in the second and J.T. Miller scored in the second period. Anton Stralman’s empty-netter put victory out of reach for Boston.

Boston’s Brad Marchand was at the center of drama through the series, gaining the attention of the league after licking his opponents.

With the series win, Tampa has made it past the second round in three of their last four seasons. We will know who their opponent will be no later than Wednesday night. Tampa and Washington last met in 2011, when the Guy Boucher-led Bolts team defeated a Michal Neuvirth-backstopped Caps team in a sweep. With the best record in the east, the Lightning will have home ice regardless of their opponent.

I hear Tampa is lovely in late May. #ItsOktoBelieve

— John Walton (@WaltonCaps) May 6, 2018

Headline photo: Mike Ehrmann