Tampa BAE Lightning: RD 1 GM 5

The Tampa Bay Lightning are back inside Amalie Arena after stealing a game in Sunrise and coming within 4 minutes of taking two in a row. The Bolts are now facing elimination in every single game remaining in this series, however many that may be.

At this point, I feel like the Lightning have done everything they could possibly do to win and it’s just not enough. The Panthers have just been better. Vasy is sub .900% save percentage for his 3rd playoffs in a row. Mac & Cernak are two of just six players that are positive in +/-. The 3rd pairing defense is basically made up AHLers.

And, above it all, is a glaring lack of offense. The power play is 0-for-16 (or something close to it). The Lightning, as a team, have scored 9 total goals. Kucherov, Hagel, Goncalves, Gourde, Girgensons, & Geekie have combined for 0 goals. 0.

The most glaring stats of all belong to Nikita Kucherov: 0 Goals, 4 Assists, and just 5 shots. That’s just this series. Let’s bring more pain.

In the last 14 consecutive post season games, Kucherov has 0 goals. Kucherov has gone 10 straight playoff games against the Panthers with 0 goals.

In his last 23 post season games, he has 2 goals. 2.

And I fully recognize Kucherov is a better set up man than shooter, but even that is faltering. Look no further than the 5 minute power play where they managed a single shot.

I could forgive a lot of this if I thought he was out there really playing hard, but I don’t think he is. He’s doing his piss baby routine. We saw it really explode in the final seconds against the Avalanche when he threw his gloves off at the equipment staff frustrated after breaking a stick. Since then, it seems he’s gone back to that head space. He’s got a sour attitude and is slamming doors on the bench.

Do I expect him to smile like Stuart Skinner did? Not at all. But I do expect to conduct himself like a pro getting paid one of the three highest salaries on the team.

He is the Art Ross winner. Back to back. He’s widely regarded as one of the best players in the game. And he’s been a ghost. That just can’t happen.

Also, worthy of a hard look this playoffs is the coaching staff. The Lightning are making the same mistakes over and over. And with a power play that is simply not competing—they opted to not practice at all today.

Facing a 1st round exit for the third year in a row, almost nothing working, and there’s not even a short skating session?

That’s a choice. And not a very good one.

All that aside, the Lightning need to win three in a row. Improbable? Yes. Impossible? Not completely.

One shift, one game at a time because there is no more tomorrow.

Go Bolts.