One win. That’s all that is standing between the Tampa Bay Lightning and consecutive trips to the Stanley Cup Final. Last night’s 3-2 overtime loss to the New York Islanders marked just the second time, all-season, the Lightning lost a game after leading entering the third period—both losses have occurred in the playoffs. It also dropped Tampa Bay’s overtime record this postseason to 0-3.
If last year’s championship run was marked by dominance and an ability to squeeze the life out of opponents, this year’s playoff run is substantially different. Tampa Bay’s dominance at 5v5 is far below what was expected of the team coming into the postseason.