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The Tampa Bay Lightning punched their ticket to the 2019 Stanley Cup Playoffs by virtue of Montreal's 8-2 loss in Anaheim late Friday.

The Lightning became the first National Hockey League team to qualify for the postseason this season and tied the 2008-09 San Jose Sharks for the second-fewest games (68 GP) needed to secure a playoff spot since 2005-06, one game shy of the 2009-10 Washington Capitals (67 GP).
By calendar date, the Bolts were the fastest to clinch a postseason bid since 2005-06.
The Lightning are in the postseason for the second-consecutive season, the fifth time in the last six seasons and the 11th time overall.
The Bolts are looking to win their second Stanley Cup in franchise history to pair with the lone Cup won in 2004.
The Lightning have advanced to the Eastern Conference Final in three of the last four seasons, including a trip to the Cup Final in 2015, and four of the last eight years.