Bolts out of the blue: more than a flash in the pan, the Lightning is an emerging powerhouse for seven major reasons.(NHL)

It's still hard not to think of the Lightning as an oddity, a playoff mirage in the scorching Florida sunshine.

But these guys are for real.

For six straight years, the Lightning has improved in the standings, the longest such streak in the NHL. Boasting the league's top scorer--who's also the best feel-good story in the game--the Lightning was the only team with four players with at least 60 points. And since its hard-bitten goaltender turned in three shutouts in the first round, the team's fans have turned rabid in the heat. But really, who are these guys from Tampa? There are seven things you should know about the white-hot Lightning.

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