FORMAT: The champions of each conference compete in best-of-seven series. The Lightning, which has the better record, will host Games 1 and 2 and, if necessary, Games 5 and 7.
OVERTIME: The format is sudden death and teams play as many 20-minute periods as necessary to determine a winner. There are no ties.
STANLEY CUP: The oldest trophy competed for by professional athletes in North America, it goes to the team that wins the NHL championship.
PAYOFF: Players on each team receive a pool of money from the league to divide as they see fit. The amount is determined by how far their team advances. This year first-round losing teams each will divide about $260,000, conference semifinal losers divide about $450,000, conference final losers divide about $1-million, the Stanley Cup final losers divide about $1.6-million and the winners share about $2.4-million.
CONN SMYTHE TROPHY: Named for the longtime owner of the Toronto Maple Leafs, the award goes to the most valuable player of the playoffs. The recipient is selected by the Professional Hockey Writers Association.
Schedule
TODAY: Calgary at Tampa Bay, 8
THURSDAY: Calgary at Tampa Bay, 8
SATURDAY: Tampa Bay at Calgary, 8
MONDAY: Tampa Bay at Calgary, 8
JUNE 3*: Calgary at Tampa Bay, 8
JUNE 5*: Tampa Bay at Calgary, 8
JUNE 7*: Calgary at Tampa Bay, 8
* If necessary
Following the Lightning
TELEVISION: ESPN will carry Games 1 and 2 while Ch. 28 will carry the remainder of the games.
RADIO: David Mishkin is the Lightning play-by-play voice on WDAE-AM 620. Former Lightning general manager Phil Esposito serves as analyst. Broadcasts begin with a 30-minute pregame show and end with a 30-minute postgame show.
FOOD/DRINK: Fans may not bring food or drink into the arena, but concessions are available. Also, the XO Club is a special season ticket level with food and drink included and Shots at Channelside is a sports and entertainment bar on the west side of the building.
CAMERAS: Still cameras are allowed as long as they don't have detachable lenses. No video cameras or camera bags.
SECURITY: Bags, backpacks, laser pointers, weapons, bottles, cans, sharp objects, sticks, poles, fireworks, pepper spray, mace, food, beverages and wrapped gifts are prohibited. Fans are subject to search at all entries. You'll move through more quickly if you avoid bringing bags or purses.
SMOKING: It is prohibited in the building, but smoking is allowed outside exits behind section 126/128, behind section 212 and behind section 326/328. Fans can exit and re-enter the building during events at those areas.
AUTOGRAPHS: Players enter and leave through Gate D. Some stop to sign autographs before and/or after games.
POWER PLAY: THE ENTERTAINMENT ZONE: The area opens two hours before home games on the main plaza west of the St. Pete Times Forum. It allows fans to show their form in activities such as a hockey slap shot and a bungee run. It also features food, live music and drink specials in Shots.
WHAT'S IN A NAME?: The St. Petersburg Times bought naming rights to the arena formerly known as the Ice Palace in September 2002, paying $30-million over 12 years to rename it the St. Pete Times Forum. Palace Sports & Entertainment continues to run the team and the arena.
