The Lightning finished first in the Eastern Conference with 113 points, 1 point ahead of the Bruins. Like the Maple Leafs, Tampa is potent up front with a top line that includes Steven Stamkos, Nikita Kucherov, and trade deadline acquisition J.T. Miller.
Tampa - which ousted New Jersey in five games during the first round and has been off for the last six days - ranked first in the league in scoring (3.54 goals per game) and 13th in goals against (2.85). The Lightning were third on the power play (23.9%) - just ahead of the Bruins (23.5%) - and 28th on the penalty kill (76.1%).
Kucherov was third in the NHL with 100 points (39 goals, 61 assists) this season and has been among the top contenders for the Hart Trophy as the league's MVP. Stamkos finished second on the Lightning and 12th in the NHL with 86 points, while 22-year-old Brayden Point was Tampa's second-leading goal scorer with 32. Rookie Yanni Gourde was fourth on the team in scoring (64 points) and goals (25).
Tampa's defense corps is just as impressive, led by Norris Trophy finalist Victor Hedman - the Lightning's all-time leading scorer among defensemen - and Dan Girardi on the top pair. Ryan McDonagh, acquired from the Rangers with Miller, anchors the second pairing with Anton Stralman.
Vezina Trophy finalist Andrei Vasilevskiy was dynamic between the pipes, particularly during the season's first half, posting a 44-17-3 record with a 2.62 goals against average and .920 save percentage.
"I just think you have to respect the opponent," said Sweeney. "They're a formidable group. You knew last year they were injured and they were going to come back hungry. I think our group has respected the guys they are playing against and go out and put forth their best effort.
"There have been areas of the game that we're going to try and attack and break down, and I'm sure they're going to try and do the same thing. They had a little more time to rest, but hopefully we can go down and start the series off on the right foot."
