Crossing The NHL’s Atlantic Division: Week 25

Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Tampa Bay Lightning

By Tasha Meares of Bolts By The Bay

This is going to be an interesting week for the Tampa Bay Lightning.

The week definitely started out on a high note for the Bolts. On Monday, the Lightning secured themselves a win over Henrik Sedin and the Vancouver Canucks that would allow them to remain in the same place in the standings, and thus finishing out the Lightning’s six-game home stand on a high note.

Captain Steven Stamkos has finally found his groove since returning from his broken tibia. After some serious line shifting from Lightning head coach Jon Cooper, the Bolts seem to be heading in the right direction to find themselves in a good position for the postseason.

However, the Bolts still have a few must-win games ahead of them. The first of those was last night against the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Leafs were only one point behind the Lightning in the standings, which means a Leafs victory would allow them to commandeer the Lightning’s spot in the standings.

Obviously, this is something the Bolts just can’t have, so bringing their “A” game is going to be essential to their well-being.

After that, they head right back out to play the Ottawa Senators on Thursday night at the Canadian Tire Centre. The Bolts will then get a much-needed day off on Friday before facing Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday at the Consol Energy Center.

It is going to be a very bumpy ride, but if there is one thing the Tampa Bay Lightning are good at, it is overcoming adversity.