TAMPA, Fla., May 4 (UPI) -- Two second-period goals by Sean Bergenheim put Tampa Bay in control Wednesday and the Lightning finished a four-game sweep by downing Washington 5-3.
Tampa Bay appeared headed for an early exit from the playoffs, falling behind 3-1 in its Eastern Conference quarterfinal series against Pittsburgh. Seven consecutive wins later, the Lightning has earned a spot in the conference finals against either Boston or Philadelphia and remains in position to win its second Stanley Cup in seven years.
The Bruins beat the Flyers 5-1 Wednesday to take a 3-0 lead in their conference semifinal series.
The Lightning's championship run in 2004 was the only other time they have reached the conference finals. They missed the playoffs each of the last three seasons.
Ryan Malone opened the scoring for Tampa Bay midway through the first period, but Washington tied it on a power-play goal from Marco Strum with 1:30 to go in the stanza.
Bergenheim then delivered his sixth and seventh goals of the playoffs to give Tampa Bay a 3-1 lead with 6:26 to go in the second.
John Erskine brought the Capitals back within a goal late in the second but Tampa Bay extended its advantage on scores by Marc-Andre Bergeron and Martin St. Louis in the third.
Dwayne Roloson made 33 saves to get the victory.
Michal Neuvirth allowed all five goals on 37 shots for the top-seeded Capitals.
