By Damian Cristodero, Times Staff Writer
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Simulation of the day
EA Sports went 8-for-8 picking quarterfinal winners based on its simulations of each series on NHL 11, and its simulations of the conference semifinals should make Lightning fans happy again. It has fifth seed Tampa Bay upsetting the No. 1 seed Capitals in another seven-game series. In the other East semi, it has the Bruins topping the Flyers in six. In the West, the Canucks will get past the Predators in five games, says that simulation, and the Red Wings and Sharks will go seven games and then into overtime before Detroit pulls out the victory.
Number of the day
12-1 Odds of the Lightning winning the Stanley Cup, according to Bodog.com. The Capitals are the favorites at 4-1.
Tickets
Tickets for Games 3, 4 and 6 of the Eastern Conference semifinal with the Capitals go on sale at 10 this morning at the St. Pete Times Forum box office and via Ticketmaster (outlets, ticketmaster.com, toll-free 1-800-745-300). Prices are $27-$120.
The series: Eastern Conference semifinals
Lightning vs. Capitals
Game 1: at Washington, 7 tonight
Game 2: at Washington, 7 Sunday
Game 3: at Tampa Bay, 6:30 Tuesday
Game 4: at Tampa Bay, 7 Wednesday
Game 5: at Washington, 12:30 May 7*
Game 6: at Tampa Bay, TBD May 9*
Game 7: at Washington, TBD May 11*
*—if necessary
TV: Games 1 and 2 on Versus; Games 3 and 4 on Sun Sports; Game 5 on Ch. 8; rest TBD
Radio: Games 1, 3 and 4 on 970-AM; Game 2 on 620-AM; rest TBD
Quote to note
"They did an outstanding job. They did the things they had to do. You don't like losing the game, but hats off to them. They did a great job."
Penguins coach Dan Bylsma, on losing to the Lightning in the Eastern Conference quarterfinals
Close to the heart
When Lightning coach Guy Boucher spoke Wednesday night about the team dedicating its seven-game Eastern Conference quarterfinal victory over the Penguins to assistant coach Wayne Fleming, left, he choked up. "Yeah," Boucher said Thursday. "I was a little emotional about it." Fleming, who has brain cancer, is not traveling with the team but is text-messaging his in-game observations to the coaching staff. And Fleming will receive the puck used in the 1-0 series-clinching win. "That's how much the players care about him," Boucher said.