Panthers sweep at hands of Lightning 'tough pill to swallow'

Welcome to NHL.com, the official site of the National Hockey LeagueBienvenue à LNH.com , le site officiel de la Ligue nationale de hockeyTervetuloa NHL:n viralliselle nettisivustolle NHL.comiinVälkommen till NHL.com, NHL:s officiella web-sidaVítejte na NHL.com, oficiálních stránkách National Hockey LeagueVitajte na NHL.com, oficiálnych stránkach National Hockey LeagueWillkommen auf NHL.com, der offiziellen Seite der National Hockey LeagueBienvenido a NHL.com, el sitio oficial de la National Hockey LeagueThe Florida Panthers can be both encouraged and devastated after their elimination from the Stanley Cup Playoffs, losing 2-0 to the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Second Round on Monday."I think we're closer than ever," Panthers coach Andrew Brunette said. We're still climbing, and I thought hoping -- not hoping, but I believe -- we were ready for that next step, and unfortunately, we fell short."The Panthers won the Presidents' Trophy, awarded to the NHL team with the best record in the regular season for the first time, setting team records for wins (58) and points (122). Then they defeated the Washington Capitals in six games in the first round, winning a playoff series for the first time since 1996."Contributions up and down the lineup every night got us to where we were in the regular season and got us through Washington," Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad said. There's no doubt about it."The Panthers had several players who set NHL career highs in the regular season, starting with forward Jonathan Huberdeau, who set a team record with 115 points (30 goals, 85 assists). "Obviously, we aspire to be them, and this was another learning experience for us, and we need to be better."Brunette said the Panthers can learn from the Lightning's will to win and attention to detail, from captain Steven Stamkos on down."The learning is all the little things they do that win hockey games, how they block shots," Brunette said.