Tampa Bay Lightning Limping Through Final 6 Games

With only 6 games remaining, The Tampa Bay Lightning must overcome some adversity in their push for the playoffs.

Adversity is the only word that comes to mind when trying to sum up the regular season for the Tampa Bay Lightning. In my opinion, this has been one of the most vexing seasons I have ever witnessed. From the unexpected such as injuries and holdouts to the more complex nature of contract negotiations, this season has been full of worry.

Yet, here we are. 44-27-5, 93 points and 1st place in the Atlantic division. One would think that the Bolts Nation should feel satisfied. We don’t and there is a good reason behind that feeling.

For the majority of this season’s fans have not seen the speed, the flash, the energy that propelled the Bolts into the Stanley Cup Finals last season. This could be in large part due to the injury bug that has plagued Tampa this season. It could also be due to the focus on team defense, which is paramount come playoff time. Whatever the reason may be, it has been frustrating to watch the Lightning play this season.

With so much skill and talent on this team, we as fans have come to expect a certain style of play from the Lightning. We expect constant pressure on the opposing team, we expect to be the fastest team on the ice every night. We expect to win. It is a culture which this team has created over the past few seasons and anything less is a disappointment. The Bolts have not consistently been the best form of themselves this season and it makes for an anxious fan base.

To add to the frustration of this season the Bolts recently lost D Anton Stralman to a broken left fibula. Stralman will miss the remainder of the regular season and the start of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. He could possibly return for the second round of the playoffs, given that the Lightning makes it that far. The Bolts have also been without F Ryan Callahan for the past 6 games and F Nikita Kucherov has missed the last 2 games.

Losing Anton Stralman at this time of the season is a huge loss for the Bolts. He typically plays on the top D-line pairing alongside Victor Hedman, together they form one of the NHL’s best defensive duo’s. He is incredibly reliable on defense and it allows for Victor Hedman to explore the offensive side of his game. Stralman is also a right handed shot, an area in which the Lightning are in desperate need of.

With Stralman out, Hedman will carry the load on his shoulders and others will have to step up.

Ryan Callahan brings grit and a work ethic that is missed when he is not in the lineup. Though his point production is not up to par this season, the way he plays the game is something to be admired. Cally never takes a break on his shifts. His forecheck is ferocious. He throws his body into his checks and he is excellent on the Penalty Kill. He also brings veteran leadership into the locker room.

Hopefully, the injury to Nikita Kucherov is not anything serious to worry about. Kucherov missing any valuable amount of time could prove to be disastrous for the Lightning. His creativity with the puck and his offensive skill set are second to none on the team. Kucherov is a must have through the end of the regular season. Come playoff time, Kuch needs to be in high gear.

The Lightning should now be in playoff mode. An effort such as the one in our last game against Toronto will not suffice. Toronto should have had a better fate in that game and if it weren’t for G Ben Bishop‘s heroics, they would have. There needs to be a consistent all out effort from this team and it just hasn’t been there.

With the way this season has unfolded there is one thing we know for certain about this Bolts team, they are resilient. Every single time the Bolts have been pushed, kicked around, demoralized, they find a way to fight back. Through an up and down start to the season, through injuries, through team distractions, they have stuck together and come out on top.

Next: 10 Contracts The Lightning Need To Re-Sign This Season

Here we stand, 6 games left in the regular season. Fighting for our right to play in the greatest tournament in all of sports, The Stanley Cup Playoffs. I believe this team now has the experience required to win the Stanley Cup. I believe the comradery on this team is unbreakable. They have proven it all year long.

I believe that the Tampa Bay Lightning will be your 2016 Stanley Cup Champions.

It’s playoff time Tampa Bay! Are you ready?