TAMPA, Fla. — Facing elimination in the Eastern Conference finals, the Tampa Bay Lightning knew they could count on Martin St. Louis to make a difference.

The six-time NHL All-Star has a knack for thriving in big games.

What he did — on and off the ice — to help his team stay alive against the Boston Bruins hardly came as a surprise on Wednesday night.

“I think that’s what you play for,” St. Louis said after scoring twice and assisting on a third goal as the Lightning rallied to beat the Bruins 5-4 in Game 6.

“Whether it’s as a kid in the driveway and pretending to be a Game 7, those are the games you watch. ... Those are the games that get your fire going and those are the ones you want to play in,” he added. “The do-or-die games. Our backs against the wall. You want to leave it out there, and I was fortunate to get a couple of good bounces.”

The Lightning also got a lift from Steven Stamkos and Vincent Lecavalier, and resilient goaltender Dwayne Roloson weathered a hat trick by Boston’s David Krejci to force Game 7 in Boston on Friday night. All that after St. Louis got his teammates‘ attention with some inspiring words in the locker room.

“He’s the first guy to step up and get the guys going. He’s obviously been through every type of experience, and every single type of championship you could win, he’s been there,” Stamkos said.

“He’s won individual awards. He’s won the Stanley Cup and he’s always been a big part,” the Lightning’s 21-year-old forward added. “He knows what to do and how to react in those situations. He stepped up before the game and said a few words, and just the respect he has from every single guy on the team, we take it to heart. ... He’s been our go-to guy.”

The Bruins are seeking their first trip to the Stanley Cup finals in 21 years, and the Lightning will try to clinch their first appearance on hockey’s biggest stage since they won their only league title in 2004.

The Western Conference-champion Vancouver Canucks await the winner.