April 29, 2006: The Senators defeat the Lightning 3-2 in Ottawa to win their Eastern Conference Quarterfinal series in five games; it's the first time since entering the NHL they've met in the playoffs. The Senators are first in the East for the second time in three seasons; the Lightning finish eighth. However, the Sabres eliminate the Senators in the conference semifinals in five games, including three overtime victories.
June 2, 2007: Though they drop from first to fourth in the East, the Senators win three playoff rounds to advance to the Stanley Cup Final for the first time. They lose Games 1 and 2 on the road to the Anaheim Ducks, but in the first Cup Final game to be played in Ottawa since 1927, the Senators win 5-3. However, the Ducks win 3-2 in Game 4 and close out the series with a 6-2 win at Anaheim in Game 5.
June 20, 2008: The Senators host the NHL Draft, but the Lightning have the first pick. Tampa Bay, which retains the No. 1 choice in the NHL Draft Lottery, takes high-scoring forward Steven Stamkos. The Senators trade up to the No. 15 pick and select defenseman Erik Karlsson. Each goes on to become a star.
April 10, 2010:At 20 years, two months and three days, Stamkos becomes the third-youngest player to score 50 goals. No. 50 comes against the Florida Panthers. The only players to score 50 at a younger age are Wayne Gretzky and Jimmy Carson. Despite Stamkos' big season, the Lightning miss the playoffs. The Senators finish fifth in the East and lose to the Penguins in the first round.
April 27, 2011:The Lightning defeat the Penguins 1-0 in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals to win the best-of-7 series after trailing 3-1. Tampa Bay sweeps the Washington Capitals in the conference semifinals and gets to Game 7 of the conference final but loses 1-0 to the Bruins.
April 7, 2012:Stamkos scores his Lightning-record 60th goal of the season in Tampa Bay's season finale at the Winnipeg Jets. No NHL player has reached the 60-goal mark since. However, the Lightning miss the playoffs. Ottawa finishes eighth in the East and loses in seven games to the New York Rangers in the conference quarterfinals.
May 29, 2015: The Lightning earn a berth in the Stanley Cup Final for the first time since 2004 by defeating the New York Rangers 2-0 in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Final at Madison Square Garden. Tampa Bay splits the first four games of the Final with the Chicago Blackhawks but goes home without the Cup after losing Games 5 and 6.
May 9, 2017: Ottawa advances to the Eastern Conference Final for the first time in 10 years by eliminating the Rangers with a 4-2 win in Game 6 of the conference semifinal. The Senators reach Game 7 of the Eastern Final against the Penguins but lose 3-2 in double overtime. The Lightning, who lose Stamkos to an early-season knee injury, miss the playoffs.