LOS ANGELES - Ben Bishop posted his fifth career post-season shutout as the Tampa Bay Lightning booked a spot in their second straight NHL Eastern Conference final by eliminating the New York Islanders on Sunday.
Victor Hedman of the Tampa Bay Lightning celebrates his goal against the New York Islanders during the first period of game five of the Eastern Conference second round, on May 8, 2016 in Tampa, Florida
Swedish defenceman Victor Hedman scored twice in a 4-0 win as the Lightning won the best-of-seven second-round series four games to one.
Tampa advances to the East final where they will face the winner of the series between the Pittsburgh Penguins and Washington Capitals. The Penguins lead the series 3-2 with game six set for Tuesday night.
Bishop made 28 saves while Russian forward Nikita Kucherov had his ninth goal of the playoffs.
The Lightning beat the New York Rangers in the NHL semi-finals last year before losing in six games in the Stanley Cup finals to the Chicago Blackhawks.
Hedman gave the Lightning a 1-0 lead at 13:49 of the first period. He seized control of a loose puck and beat Islanders goalie Thomas Greiss with a shot to the near post.
Lightning centre Brian Boyle scored his third goal of the playoffs at 18:41 in the first period to make the score 2-0. Defenceman Matt Carle passed the puck from behind the net to Boyle who snapped a shot over Greiss's shoulder.
Hedman's second goal came on a Lightning power play at 4:22 in the second period. Jonathan Drouin made a backhand pass that banked off the boards and Hedman scored on a blast from the right faceoff circle to give Tampa a commanding 3-0 lead.
Kucherov capped the scoring at 4:40 in the third period on a breakaway.
Greiss, of Germany, made 21 saves for the Islanders.