TAMPA — They were once the kings of the ice.
Where other teams lumbered, the Lightning skated with flair and speed. Players found open lanes, shots lit up the scoreboard, and victory was a given.
They were masters of strategy.
When foes sought to unsettle them with aggressive play, Tampa Bay adapted brilliantly. Remember Corey Perry or Pat Maroon standing defiantly in front of the net, daring defenses to budge?
They were a force to be reckoned with.
From the 2019-20 season to now, the Lightning have battled through more than 80 playoff contests, averaging a solid 3.1 goals per game. While not as explosive as previous seasons (3.4 goals), the difference wasn’t huge.
So, what’s gone wrong?
The offense we’ve seen against Florida feels like a shadow of its former self. Sure, the Panthers are playing tight defense, and scoring dips in the playoffs is expected.
However, this marks Tampa Bay’s least productive scoring in recent playoff history, averaging only 2.2 goals per game compared to a league-best 3.5 in the regular season.
The last time the Lightning faced such struggle was during the 2019 sweep by Columbus.
That was a staggering 15 playoff series ago.
The power play has been especially troublesome, failing to score in the last 14 chances. This was glaringly evident during Game 4, where they had a five-minute power play but could only muster five shots: two blocked, two missed, and just one hitting the target.
Is there a fix?
“Yeah, get in front of the goalie and get more shots,” forward Nick Paul suggested. “It starts with our forecheck and creating turnovers, then taking it to the net. We need to skip the fancy plays and just shoot, crashing the net for rebounds.”
These concerns echo what the Lightning faced six years back after the Columbus series. At that time, the belief was Tampa Bay was overthinking their plays instead of capitalizing on rebounds and deflections.
Coach Jon Cooper, however, dismissed notions that the team was being overly meticulous. Despite averaging the fewest shots on goal in the playoffs, he noted they had attempted more total shots than Florida, including blocked and missed attempts.
“I checked the shot attempts in this series, and it’s roughly 220-213 in our favor,” Cooper noted. “So we’re getting the shots. Maybe they’re not all finding the net, but we’re trying.”
Indeed, the numbers show Tampa Bay has attempted more shots, showcasing their defensive strength and possession. Yet, their total shots still pale in comparison to recent playoff performances.
From 2020 to 2024, the Lightning averaged 31.8 shots on goal per playoff game.
In contrast, against Florida, they’ve only averaged 20.8.
Players and coaches alike acknowledge that the Panthers excel at stifling shooters, which explains their reigning Stanley Cup champion status.
But how can Tampa Bay counteract such a defensive approach?
“That’s a tough one,” said forward Luke Glendening. “We need to adopt a better shooting mentality to create more chaos around their net. The more shots we take, the more opportunities arise. They’ve excelled in blocking shots and playing tough, but every shot we make could lead to a scramble, and that could play in our favor.”
“The goal-scorers on our team find ways to score — with deflections and rebounds. We just need to keep pushing for those chances.”
Historically, the Lightning’s strategy has focused on limiting opponents to two goals or fewer. Do that during playoffs, and victories often follow. From 2020 to 2024, they flaunted a 40-4 record when restricting rivals to two goals or less, thanks to their offensive prowess of over three goals per game.
This strategy still applies today.
The pressing question remains: Can the Lightning score enough to make this tactic work?
Game Recap: Panthers vs. Lightning
EASTERN CONFERENCE, FIRST ROUND
Game 1: Panthers 6, Lightning 2
Game 2: Panthers 2, Lightning 0
Game 3: Lightning 5, Panthers 1
Game 4: Panthers 4, Lightning 2
Upcoming Matches:
Wednesday: at Amalie Arena, 7:30, FanDuel Sports Sun, ESPN2
Friday: at Sunrise, TBD*
Sunday: at Amalie Arena, TBD*
*if necessary
• • •
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Conclusion
The Lightning once thrived on energy, speed, and skilled shots, but the current playoffs have shown a different reality. With adjustments needed to boost their scoring, fans are left wondering if the team can find its former glory and secure victories against tough opponents like the Panthers.
FAQs
What happened to the Lightning’s scoring ability?
The team’s current offensive output has dipped significantly in the playoffs compared to previous seasons, leading to questions about their strategy and execution.
How can the Lightning improve their performance?
Players emphasize getting more shots on net, creating chaos in front of the goalie, and focusing less on overly complex plays.
What is the Lightning’s historical playoff performance?
Tampa Bay has had a strong playoff history, previously averaging over three goals per game while securing numerous wins by holding opponents to two goals or fewer.
