Lightning Not Overconfident

No one has to remind the Tampa Bay Lightning that success against an opponent during the regular season means little when the playoffs arrive.

The Lightning went 4-0 against Philadelphia this season, yet don’t expect that to give it an edge against the Flyers when the Eastern Conference finals begin Saturday.

“That means squat,” Coach John Tortorella said Wednesday.

“As far as what we did, what they did, you throw that right out the window. I think both teams by the time Saturday comes along, is going to have a pretty good understanding about what the other team is about.”

Tampa Bay has first-hand knowledge of how teams that don’t fare well against an opponent in the regular season can reverse the trend in the playoffs.

After losing three of four to the New York Islanders this season, the Lightning won a first-round series involving the teams in five games. In the second round, Tampa Bay swept Montreal after splitting four games against the Canadiens in the regular season.

“It’s the playoffs and 4-0 doesn’t mean anything now,” defenseman Brad Lukowich said. “The Islanders were whatever up on us. All that does is give [Philadelphia] more motivation to come out and play harder against us.”

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More than a few times during the Sharks’ incredible season, Mike Rathje has pondered just how much has changed in San Jose since he initially put on the NHL’s first teal uniform.

Rathje has been with the Sharks since 1993, when he was a 19-year-old defenseman and the Sharks were terrible. After years of mediocrity and instability, San Jose is in the Western Conference finals for the first time in its 13-year franchise history -- and Rathje is enjoying it as much as the team’s loyal fans.

“It’s just great for the people who live here and love the Sharks,” said Rathje, the longest-tenured player and a full-time San Jose resident. “We’ve had some successes, but we’ve never been really close to the Stanley Cup. Hopefully, this is the year we change all that.”

Only a year after missing the playoffs and falling to 14th place in the conference, the Sharks won their second Pacific Division title during the best regular season in franchise history. Then they dispatched St. Louis and Colorado in the playoffs, losing only three games in the process.

San Jose faces the Calgary Flame and former coach Darryl Sutter on Sunday in the opener of the conference finals. The Shark Tank is sure to be full of teal-clad, towel-waving fans who endured the miserable seasons along with Rathje.

“This is unbelievable for all the players on our team, especially for the guys who have been here a number of times,” Coach Ron Wilson said.