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Post-game reactions from Tampa Bay’s Game 1 win vs. Washington (video)

Michal Neuvirth, Steven Stamkos

Tampa Bay Lightning center Steven Stamkos battles for the puck with Washington Capitals goalie Michal Neuvirth from the Czech Republic, during the second period in Game 1 of a conference semifinal NHL Stanley Cup hockey playoff series Friday, April 29, 2011 in Washington. Stamkos scored on the play. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

AP

The Tampa Bay Lightning earned a 4-2 win against the Washington Capitals in Game 1 thanks to some timely scoring, a gradually restrictive defense and a nice helping of hard work. This series is far from over, but winning Game 1 on the road puts a lot of pressure on a higher seed.

This point is not lost on Lightning coach Guy Boucher, who continues to stoke his own team’s fires by singing his opponents’ praises. Sure, he said that the Capitals would basically be failures if they lost this series, but he called Washington “a more powerful team” after tonight’s win. In many ways, these comments could serve as reverse bulletin board material as Boucher tries to emphasize Tampa Bay’s underdog status. (His job isn’t necessarily easy considering the also-impressive star power on his own bench.)

Want a sense of the fallout from this first game? The first video includes some highlights plus a recap of the game from Dave Strader and Ed Olczyk. The second features a post-game interview with Steven Stamkos, who scored the game-winner late in the second period. We’ll also keep you up to date as Sunday’s Game 2 (7 pm. ET on Versus) as it approaches.

Post-game reactions from the Capitals and Lightning, plus analysis from the Versus crew:


Steven Stamkos interview: