Crossing The NHL’s Atlantic Division: Week 26
By Tim Bayer
Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Tampa Bay Lightning
By Tasha Meares of Bolts By The Bay
The Tampa Bay Lightning have found themselves in a bit of a conundrum lately. While they have been having difficulty closing out games once they enter overtime or a shootout, they have indeed brought home at least one point in the last nine games. However, they will look to get back in the swing of things this week and start bringing home two points a night instead of one.
The week started out with one of the aforementioned one-point games when the Bolts fell to the Ottawa Senators 4-3 in the shootout on Monday night at the Tampa Bay Times Forum. After a few much-needed days off, the Lightning will host the New York Islanders on Thursday night at the Forum. These two teams have split the season series thus far, so both will be looking to turn the tide in Tampa.
On Saturday the Bolts play the first game of their back-to-back weekend; first up, the Buffalo Sabres. While the Sabres may have found themselves all the way at the bottom of the standings, this team had the Lightning’s number the last time they met, so they Bolts will definitely have to take it up a notch when they meet again on Saturday.
The Bolts will close out their weekend at the Joe Louis Arena to do battle with the Detroit Red Wings. The Lightning have swept the season series so far; however, two of the four games played have ended in extra time, which we know the Bolts have had no luck with lately. Hopefully, they can end the Wings in regulation and bring home the two points.
It is going to be a bumpy ride, but the Lightning are used to adversity, and if there is anyone who can overcome the obstacle, it will be them.