Tampa Bay Lightning Vs. Calgary Flames: Live Thread For Game No. 30

Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Tampa Bay Lightning are still searching for the spark they need to light the flames in their souls and find a way to get back on track. Could a victory over the Calgary Flames be the spark the Bolts are looking for?

The Tampa Bay Lightning continues to desperately search for a way to get back on track and start winning games once again. Unfortunately, the Lightning continues down the same dark and perilous road that has led them to nothing but adversity.

One of the biggest obstacles in the team’s way has been the sheer amount of injuries the team has been forced to deal with this season. The good news here is, with the exception of Lightning captain Steven Stamkos and alternate captain Ryan Callahan, the team has gotten back most of their injured players.

Over the course of the last few games, you could see a difference in the team. They have started making plays and definitely found a way to put the puck in the back of the net; especially if your name is Jonathan Drouin. Unfortunately, despite their best efforts, the Lightning still hasn’t been able to pull out a win.

Tampa Bay Lightning
Tampa Bay Lightning /

Tampa Bay Lightning

Now, the Tampa Bay Lightning have had three days off to prepare themselves for their next adventure. Tonight, the Lightning kick off a three-game road trip through Western Canada with a stop at the Scotiabank Saddledome where they will take on the Calgary Flames.

Allow us to give you a little perspective when it comes to tonight’s encounter. The Lightning have dropped eight of their last 10 games. At the same time, the Calgary Flames have had a completely different outcome. Unlike the Bolts, the Flames have won eight of their last 10 games.

Here’s the thing. The absolute worst thing a team can do is underestimate a team who has their backs against the wall. This is where the Lightning finds themselves right now. If the Tampa Bay Lightning have any hopes of making their way into the postseason, they are going to have to put an end to this skid sooner rather than later.

The Lightning made one really good decision when they elected to recall defenseman Slater Koekkoek from the Syracuse Crunch. Many Tampa Bay Lightning fans were incredibly perplexed when the Lightning elected to reassign Koekkoek to the Crunch prior to their battle against the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Koekkoek has consistently played his heart out this season and has proved he deserves his spot on the Lightning’s main roster. Thankfully, the disturbance in the force has been rectified and all is well here in the Bolts Nation…at least for now.

It’s going to take some moving and shaking on the part of Lightning Head Coach Jon Cooper to find just the right combination of players to take on the Flames and bring home the victory. The good news is, the Lightning if full of talented players who have played at the highest levels of the game.

In other words, they know exactly what needs to be done in order to get back on top. The only thing left is for the team to put one skate in front of the other and get the job done. Could the Tampa Bay Lightning find that spark they have been so desperately searching for tonight in Calgary? We’ll have to wait and see.

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Do you want to be a part of the action tonight? Well, scroll down just a little bit and let your voice be heard in the comments section. Join other Lightning fans as we discuss all the action between the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Calgary Flames, what the Lightning need to do to get back on track and much more.

Topics: Tampa Bay Lightning, Calgary Flames, Atlantic Division, Eastern Conference