What was once a significant lead in the Atlantic Division for the Lightning has dwindled and what do you know, we find ourselves heading into March in a good ol’ fashioned fight to the finish.
Sigh.
The Lightning are still in very good shape, with a 25 point lead over fourth place Florida, heading into Thursday night. At this point, missing the postseason would require nothing less than what could only be labeled a complete and utter systemic collapse of almost unheard of epic proportions.
Still, there are no foregone conclusions (the Arizona Coyotes are still mathematically eligible to win their division and secure the top seed in the Western Conference) and there are lots of games to be played.