Bolts by the Bay
Fansided

Tampa Bay Lightning: With Roster Getting Healthy, No More Excuses As Team Enters 2016

By Kyle Barber

Dec 28, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Lightning right wing Nikita Kucherov (86) is congratulated by center Steven Stamkos (91) as he scores a goal against the Montreal Canadiens during the second period at Amalie Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 28, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Lightning right wing Nikita Kucherov (86) is congratulated by center Steven Stamkos (91) as he scores a goal against the Montreal Canadiens during the second period at Amalie Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

The first 38 games for the Tampa Bay Lightning did not exactly go as planned, but with the roster almost back to full strength, there are no more excuses for the team as they enter 2016.

The Tampa Bay Lightning, currently 18-16-4 and 6th place in the tough Atlantic Division, are entering the new year in a hole they dug themselves in during the first 38 games played in this 2015-16 season. A mix of injuries, poor special teams, and inconsistency has really hindered this talented Lightning team this season. However, it is time for everything to turn around.

Sure, we get it, injuries are tough to deal with. When you have six of your forwards out at one time, it may be tough to get on a roll and play your best hockey. (Let’s just hope the defense stays healthy, because if they don’t, we’re in trouble.) You have Ben Bishop, fifth in the NHL with a 2.06 GAA and tenth in the league with a .925 SV%, yet he leads the league with 12 regulation losses. That contributes to many things: poor goal support, and an inability to win close games.

The calendar has flipped to 2016, and it is time for the Tampa Bay Lightning to start playing like we all know they can. With Onderj Palat ready to return, the forward unit will now be completely healthy. We have seen some players step up like J.T. Brown and Jonathan Marchessault that makes the decision on who to play that much tougher on the nightly basis, but that competition just makes you better when you’re on the ice.

Related: Could Erik Condra Be Moved Before the Trade Deadline?

There are no more excuses for this team anymore. The month of January puts the Bolts back on the west coast for their annual road trip to take on Western Conference opponents such as the Edmonton Oilers, Calgary Flames, Vancouver Canucks, and Colorado Avalanche. Though this trip is always tough, the Lightning are better than all four of these teams by far and should have no problem coming away with at least a record of 3-1.

It’s time to get a winning streak together, with the team’s longest of the year only being a three game winning streak between November 19th-25th. That is the inconsistency we were talking about. It is time to get that corrected, gain some confidence, and climb up the division standings.

Home/Editorial