Lightning outlook

Dubbed the “triplets,” the line of left wing Ondrej Palat, center Johnson and right wing NikitaKucherov is dynamic and productive. Johnson, whowent undrafted, is the playoff leader in goals and points, andKucherov (nine goals, 19 points) isn’t far behind. Goaltender Ben Bishop (2.15 goalsagainst average, .920 save percentage) excelled under pressure by shutting out Detroit inGame7 of the first round and theNewYork Rangers inGame7 of the East finals. “They remindmea lot of us— a lot of speed,” he said of the Blackhawks. “Both teamswant to play really fast. I think it’s going to be important tomake those guys play defense.” Tampa Bay’s defense drops off after VictorHedmanand Anton Stalman but it has clamped downwhen it had to. Stamkos (seven goals, 17 points) said his teamconsiders the Blackhawks a model. “You see what they’ve been able to do the last five, six years, it’s been impressive. That’s whatwe see ourselves doing,” he said.