Both teams played a more wide-open style than in Game 3, skating harder and creating more chances off the rush.
The Lightning got a rare two-minute two-man advantage at 1:52 and converted for its third power-play goal of the series. Dave Andreychuk passed from goalie Miikka Kiprusoff's right to Brad Richards at the top of the slot, and Richards fired the puck past Kiprusoff high and to the glove side.
Calgary's best chances early were shot wide left. Wing Martin Gelinas misfired after Jarome Iginla fed him on a two-on-one, and Jordan Leopold missed on a power-play rebound.
With about three minutes left, the Flames got a short-handed opportunity when sloppy play by the Lightning left Ville Nieminen alone in the slot. But Nikolai Khabibulin saved his backhander.
Calgary almost picked up a fluke goal when a seemingly harmless clear bounced and almost slipped past Khabibulin.
THE POSITIVE: The Lightning took the lead even though it was outplayed considerably.
THE NEGATIVE: Tampa Bay gave up too many odd-man rushes, including during its power plays. Calgary had several short-handed scoring chances.
KEY PLAY: After not scoring a power-play goal in Game 3, Richards' goal gave the Lightning a confidence boost.
KEY PLAYER: In Pavel Kubina's absence, defenseman Cory Sarich stepped up. He played his usual solid defensive game, landed a couple of big hits and even contributed in the Calgary zone.
The Lightning's energy level sagged during the first 10 minutes. It had trouble clearing its zone and, during its power play, had fewer scoring chances than the Flames.
Flames wing Martin Gelinas had the best of Calgary's three chances during the first two minutes. He got the puck in front of the net while on his knees, but the puck rolled off his stick during a backhand attempt.
Calgary threatened again when Jarome Iginla left a drop pass for Jordan Leopold, open at the top of the slot. Leopold fired wide.
Tampa Bay surged briefly during the final five minutes. Its best opportunities came when Brad Richards had an open shot from the left circle and Vinny Lecavalier found Cory Stillman in front with a between-the-legs pass.
Late, Gelinas retrieved a puck from behind the net and tried a wraparound. But Nikolai Khabibulin slid quickly across the crease and crouched to stop the shot with 1:35 left.
THE POSITIVE: Khabibulin preserved a tenuous 1-0 lead, frustrating the Flames with several big saves.
THE NEGATIVE: The Lightning continued to get outworked in all three zones, losing the battles along the boards and getting hemmed in for long stretches.
KEY PLAYS: In a span of 30 seconds, Richards and defenseman Dan Boyle blocked passes that would have resulted in point-blank short-handed chances for the Flames.
KEY PLAYER: Gelinas always seemed to be near the net, setting screens and creating chances.
Tampa Bay played a significantly more conservative game. The Lightning seemed interested only in preserving its lead rather than extending it. It was tentative on the forecheck and repeatedly iced the puck to relieve pressure in the defensive zone.
The Lightning survived a flurry about midway through. Flames wing Marcus Nilson spun and passed across the slot. The pass deflected off Brad Richards' skate and went on net. Nikolai Khabibulin made a kick save, but the rebound squirted out to Flames defenseman Andrew Ference, whose low, hard backhand was saved with 9:10 left.
With 4:13 left, Ville Nieminen gave the Lightning a gift, taking a five-minute major penalty for boarding Vinny Lecavalier. Despite the man-advantage, Tampa Bay had only a slightly easier time killing the clock. The Flames kept the pressure up and pulled goalie Miikka Kiprusoff for an extra attacker.
THE POSITIVE: After getting dominated on faceoffs for most of the game, the Lightning won some key ones down the stretch.
THE NEGATIVE: Tampa Bay didn't stick to its "safe is death" motto, playing a low-risk period that allowed Calgary to press for the equalizer.
KEY PLAY: With just less than two minutes left, Flames center Craig Conroy cleanly won a draw at Khabibulin's right. Conroy pulled the puck back to Ference, whose blast from the top of the slot was gloved by Khabibulin.
KEY PLAYER: Lightning defenseman Jassen Cullimore was on the ice for most of Jarome Iginla's shifts and kept him from making a difference.
Third period Scoring
LIGHTNING: None.
FLAMES: None.
Penalties
LIGHTNING: None.
FLAMES: Nieminen (boarding, game misconduct), 15 minutes, 15:47.
