Dealing with the possibility of a 2nd consecutive Stanley Cup celebration in seclusion in Canada, the Tampa Bay Lightning insist theyre focused on completing a sweep of the Montreal Canadiens and not the prospect of winning at home in front of family and friends.However, Tampa Mayor Jane Castor said Sunday she would like to see the Lightning clinch the Cup on house ice.”What we would like is for the Lightning to take it a little bit easy, to provide the Canadiens simply the smallest break, allow them to win one at house, and then bring it back to the Amalie Arena for the final and the winning of the Stanley Cup,” she said. Lightning household members were not offered an exemption by the Canadian government to cross the border for the possible celebrations, so it would be reminiscent of September, when Tampa Bay won the Cup in the bubble in Edmonton, Alberta.
Facing the possibility of a second successive Stanley Cup event in isolation in Canada, the Tampa Bay Lightning insist theyre focused on finishing a sweep of the Montreal Canadiens and not the prospect of winning in the house in front of household and friends.However, Tampa Mayor Jane Castor stated Sunday she want to see the Lightning clinch the Cup on home ice.”What we would like is for the Lightning to take it a bit easy, to give the Canadiens simply the tiniest break, enable them to win one in the house, and after that bring it back to the Amalie Arena for the final and the winning of the Stanley Cup,” she said. “We dont wish to get ahead of ourselves. But they are playing some amazing, fantastic hockey.”2dEmily Kaplan1dEmily Kaplan13hGreg Wyshynski2 RelatedThe Lightning can sweep the Canadiens out of the Cup Final in Game 4 on Monday night. Lightning relative were not provided an exemption by the Canadian government to cross the border for the possible festivities, so it would be similar to September, when Tampa Bay won the Cup in the bubble in Edmonton, Alberta.”That [idea of winning at house versus the sweep] will never ever slip into our locker space,” Lightning coach Jon Cooper said earlier Sunday after an optional practice. “Its about winning. Its not about where you win. Whichs all we care about.”Cooper and captain Steven Stamkos said the group has actually learned from previous situations in losing closeout video games and knows better than to take anything as a given up the playoffs. The Lightning lost to the New York Islanders and Dallas Stars last year in the very first chance to eliminate each challenger, and Tampa Bay did the same throughout the previous round this postseason versus the Isles.”Weve remained in this position before. We understand the magnitude of the video game,” Stamkos stated. “Were focused on the start of next game. All those other things work themselves out. You never know whats going to happen in the course of a video game or a series, so were concentrated on our start next video game.”The Associated Press added to this report.