Lightning relish clean slate against Bruins entering second round

TAMPA --The fact the Tampa Bay Lightning lost three of four games against the Boston Bruins during the regular season is not lost on Victor Hedman, but the Lightning defenseman said those losses won't matter once the puck drops for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Second Round on Saturday (3 p.m. ET; NBC, SN, TVAS).
"It's a different animal," Hedman said of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. "We're focused on one team and you're going to focus on one team for at least four games. In playoff series you get a feel for each other and play each other every other day. It's way different than the regular season. We're excited to play against them."

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The Bruins outscored the Lightning 10-4 in three regular-season wins before Tampa Bay won 4-0 at home April 3.
Hedman's point was underscored by the results of the first round, when the Lightning eliminated the New Jersey Devils in five games after going 0-2-1 against them during the regular season.
Lightning coach Jon Cooper said there were a few factors he gleaned from Tampa Bay's games against Boston this season, especially down the stretch, when the Lightning and Bruins were battling each other for the Atlantic Division title. Tampa Bay finished one point ahead of Boston, which decided home-ice advantage in this series.
"I weigh those games a little more heavily than I do the ones early on," Cooper said. "The last time we played them, I think they were a little tired when they came in here and they had injury issues as well, so it wasn't the same team that was playing.
"But their basic principles are all the same. Their structure doesn't change. But all that aside, in the playoffs everything amps up a little bit more. But I think those last couple of games was a little bit of a confidence booster for our guys in that we could play with them."
The Lightning held a full practice Friday, their third since eliminating the Devils last Saturday. Captain Steven Stamkos said he appreciated the six-day layoff and the opportunity to work on execution and timing, but added he and his teammates are eager to resume playing.
"It's been quite the break, but the guys are ready," Stamkos said. "Most of the guys have dealt with [a long layoff] before, so once that puck drops I think we'll be ready."
Forward Ryan Callahan said he's not worried about timing issues or having a slow start Saturday because of the playoff experience in the room and the excitement of playing their division rival.
"This is what it's all about," Callahan said. "Obviously playing one of the best teams in the East and being close during the regular season makes it a bit of a rivalry. You've got two good teams playing together. It's going to be a good and long series."