TAMPA — This one was a harsh reality check.
After a disappointing first-round playoff exit against the Panthers last season, the Lightning made significant improvements to their game. They turned their flaws around and enjoyed a fantastic second-half surge, establishing themselves as strong Stanley Cup contenders.
But ultimately, it didn’t matter. The Lightning were sent home by the Panthers, marking a third consecutive early playoff exit. With conflicting emotions still fresh, let’s dive into five key questions regarding the end of the Lightning’s season:
When was this series lost?
A compelling argument could point to a crucial 11 seconds at the end of Game 4, where the Lightning shifted from playoff hopefuls to deep in a 3-1 hole. However, you could also trace the turning point back to Game 1 when Matthew Tkachuk boarded Nikita Kucherov, signaling Florida’s intent to control the physicality of the matchups.
Without a solid enforcer to stand up against the Panthers, Florida set the tone, focusing on keeping Tampa Bay’s top players in check. It’s one thing to deny them space and quite another to aggressively push the limits.
Were the Lightning battling more injuries than we realized?
As Lightning General Manager Julien BriseBois prepares for his end-of-season press conference, we might uncover that Tampa Bay faced more injuries than we initially believed.
Keep an eye out for news on center Anthony Cirelli, who left Game 1 early and required extra rest. Kucherov was clearly battered throughout the series. Both Yanni Gourde and Victor Hedman frequently missed practices and looked off their game as the series progressed.
The need for defenseman Max Crozier to step in gives a hint that the blue line may have been hurting. On top of that, fourth-line center Luke Glendening played with a shoulder brace after a late-season injury.
What happened to the power play?
During playoffs, power play chances become scarce, yet the Lightning had ample opportunities, going 2-for-18 in the series, including a whopping 0-for-15 stretch from Game 1 to Game 5. The loss of Oliver Bjorkstrand right when they were starting to find their rhythm hurt them badly.
The intense pressure from the Panthers only intensified the Lightning’s difficulties in establishing their power-play strategies. Kucherov struggled to connect with teammates, and the team’s usual movement with and without the puck vanished. Hedman had a tough time managing from the blue line as well.
Some early power-play goals could have made a huge difference, but instead, their frustration became all too apparent by the time Game 5 ended.
What happened to the Lightning’s clutch gene?
Fans and opponents from the Lightning’s championship years often mention their ability to pull out victories in the clutch. Now, the Lightning seem to have lost that edge, often looking vulnerable even when protecting a lead.
Winning instills confidence, and with the Panthers now enjoying that surge, the Lightning need to find that same drive. While contributions from supporting players are essential, it’s often the stars who lift a team. The Lightning’s trend of unselfish play has at times blurred their focus, making them wait for others to step up.
For key players like Kucherov and Brayden Point, a more aggressive approach may be required. However, without control around the net to capitalize on rebounds and close chances, such strategies fall flat.
Are significant changes on the horizon?
Fan reactions have largely called for sweeping changes within the organization, but such drastic shifts are unlikely. The consensus may lean toward attributing this to unfortunate circumstances rather than poor performance.
However, some restructuring could be on the horizon as owner Jeff Vinik begins to move away from his majority ownership, signaling potential changes for the established leadership team of Vinik, BriseBois, and Coach Jon Cooper. The contracts of both BriseBois and Cooper have remained shrouded in mystery in recent times.
While the bulk of the core roster remains signed for multiple years, with Kucherov approaching free agency in two years, pivotal decisions regarding player contracts loom. Will BriseBois initiate contract talks with 35-year-old Ryan McDonagh as he heads into his final year? Bjorkstrand is also nearing the end of his current contract.
In the immediate future, BriseBois faces decisions regarding a handful of unrestricted free agents: Yanni Gourde, Luke Glendening, Nick Perbix, and Cam Atkinson. The backup goaltender position will also be up for grabs as Jonas Johansson inches toward free agency.
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