from Chris Johnston of Sportsnet,

"This is where they've wanted to be all year," Toews said Sunday of the team's fanbase. "You see those signs: 'Bring back the Cup.' Everyone has been waiting for this moment."

But here's the problem with history: It doesn't forecast the future. So often we get locked in the idea that the past tells us what is coming next, and the Tampa Bay Lightning are now into their sixth week of proving otherwise.

Few in the wider context seem to think it's possible.

They are seemingly ignoring that this is the best Eastern Conference representative in the championship series for some time. The Lightning are young, and relatively inexperienced, but they are not just here to provide cannon fodder for Chicago's third Cup in six years.

"I feel like our team's been playing more mature than we necessarily (are)," said Valtteri Filppula.

The Finnish centre is the only player on the Lightning roster with a Stanley Cup ring. If they win this series, they'll be the least experienced champion since the 1989 Calgary Flames (coach Terry Crisp was the only prior winner with them).

This is where history comes in once again: How much does that matter?

more