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Tampa Bay Lightning: Five reasons for concern in 2023-24

By Benjamin Henderson

Oct 11, 2022; New York, New York, USA; Tampa Bay Lightning head coach Jon Cooper watches his players during the second period against the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Danny Wild-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 11, 2022; New York, New York, USA; Tampa Bay Lightning head coach Jon Cooper watches his players during the second period against the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Danny Wild-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 13, 2023; Buffalo, New York, USA; Buffalo Sabres center Tage Thompson (72) celebrates his goal with teammates during the third period against the Ottawa Senators at KeyBank Center. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 13, 2023; Buffalo, New York, USA; Buffalo Sabres center Tage Thompson (72) celebrates his goal with teammates during the third period against the Ottawa Senators at KeyBank Center. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports /

Tampa Bay Lightning Reasons For Concern: The division is catching up

Most Tampa Bay Lightning fans, and perhaps the players themselves, checked out the last couple months of the season because a playoff berth seemed well in hand.

The actual final margin that got the Lightning into the playoffs was seven points. Tampa Bay finished with 98 points, while Buffalo and Pittsburg were the last teams out at 91 points.

Flip four games out of 82, and suddenly, the Lightning are sitting at 90 points and out of the playoffs.

Boston is expected to take a step back, but Buffalo and Ottawa are starting to get within striking distance to start cracking the playoffs.

If Tampa takes even the slightest of steps backward in 2023-24, the playoffs won’t be as automatic as they have been over the last few seasons.

Next. Five reasons for hope in 2023-24. dark

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