from Tom Jones of the Tampa Bay Times,

You can open your eyes now. Go ahead and exhale.

The Lightning is still alive.

It is moving on after Wednesday's thrilling Game 7 victory over the Red Wings.

For the past week and a half, Tampa Bay gave you doubts and tested your faith as well as your blood pressure. Each game, each night, each shift left you breathless or exhilarated, frustrated or anxious. One moment, the Lightning looked like a team that could be fitted for Stanley Cup rings. The next, it was being measured for coffins.

Up and down. Back and forth. You've cheered and cursed, applauded and booed. You couldn't wait for the next game or wished never to see another hockey game again.

That's what the playoffs can do to you. That's what the Lightning has done to you. It's delicious and nauseating at the same time. And this has only been one round!

"It's fun," Lightning center Brian Boyle said. "It's the playoffs."

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