After battling through a troublesome March, the Tampa Bay Lightning are getting back to their winning ways.
Winning the Stanley Cup two-straight years can take its toll. Of course, everyone would gladly place their physical and mental self through that gauntlet. However, playing that much hockey catches up to players, and exhaustion begins rearing its ugly head. Throughout March, it appeared as though the Tampa Bay Lightning finally felt the effects of being the NHL’s champion for consecutive campaigns.
Before Tampa Bay’s overtime victory over Detroit last Saturday, the Lightning lost seven of 12 games in March. Managing wins only against clearly inferior opponents; the Bolts struggled against playoff-bound teams. Defeating the likes of Seattle, Chicago, Detroit, Ottawa, and Vancouver is nice but expected. But when the franchise searching for a three-peat cannot take down more evenly matched opposition, concerns begin festering. When the Lightning lost to Boston for its third-straight defeat, confidence throughout the locker room vanished, and hope for another boat parade dwindled.
The #GoBolts have now won three in-a-row… are they finding their stride at the right time?#NHL #HockeyTwitter pic.twitter.com/J9gztZ7S8r
— Full Press Hockey (@FullPressNHL) March 30, 2022
In reality, even great teams experience slumps. It does not necessarily translate into the “fall from grace” image we tend to paint in our minds. The more significant concern surrounding Tampa Bay’s decline involved the timing. Extended periods of losing with the postseason drawing near never bodes well, especially for a team with two-consecutive shortened offseasons.
Luckily, the Bolts are turning a corner and playing better.
The Lightning started to right the ship during the later stages of Saturday’s game against the Red Wings, eventually securing the win in overtime and ending their three-game losing streak. The team took that momentum and built off of it Sunday, defeating the Islanders 4-1 on the road. Once again, it took a little time for Tampa Bay to get going. However, they never looked back once they evened the score in the middle period.
The Lightning ended their four-game road trip with two wins. Still, the quality of the opponents kept many reserved regarding a turnaround. The Red Wings and Islanders will play golf once the playoffs begin. New York is always a tough contest for the Bolts, but these two games were ones where Tampa Bay was the better team.
-
Ep 100: Divisional Round Preview: Who Is Headed To Championship Sunday?
by Full Press Coverage on January 21, 2023 at 12:19 pm
That was not the case Tuesday when Tampa Bay hosted the Carolina Hurricanes. A team poised to finish atop the Eastern Conference. Although the Bolts failed to take the lead throughout regulation, the group eventually came away victorious in overtime, thanks to Steven Stamkos’s 30th goal.
We already know what you’re gonna say … so we went ahead and picked tonight’s @NewAmsterdam Goal of the Game for you. 🤲 pic.twitter.com/1ftHAxTLkO
— Tampa Bay Lightning (@TBLightning) March 30, 2022
The Lightning played with a level of pace and confidence that had alluded them for most of March. When trailing, they never let up, finding ways to even the score every time Carolina captured the lead. Tampa Bay’s attack remained consistent, applying the level of pressure viewers expect with their talent level. Additionally, the powerplay improved throughout the contest, and the penalty kill remained effective.
Around Full Press Hockey
NHL: Hampus Lindholm Traded To Boston Bruins
NHL: Tampa Bay Lightning Acquire Brandon Hagel From Chicago
NHL: Flyers Prospect Bobby Brink Named Hockey Baker Award Finalist
NFL: Insert The Juice: JuJu Smith-Schuster Joins Chiefs Offense
Wrestling: NXT Black and Gold Shine In Loss To NXT 2.0 in War Games Match
PODCAST: Full Press NHL Podcast Ep 23: Clock Ticking On NHL Trade Deadline
Defeating a top team like Carolina is what the doctor ordered for the Bolts as they prepare for a lengthy stint on home ice. Currently 20-6-4 in front of their home crowd, the Lightning play 11 of their remaining contests at Amalie Arena.
With March behind them, Tampa Bay’s focus is establishing momentum and confidence they can carry into the playoffs. When the calendar turns to May, the Lightning expects to be in a position where their game is at its highest level, and they have set the tone for another extended postseason push. Luckily, their remaining schedule provides that opportunity. The next 16 games possess a quality mix of matchups between lottery-bound squads and opponents the Bolts may face in a playoff series. Contests against Chicago, Montreal, Buffalo, Anaheim, Columbus, and Detroit allow quality two-point opportunities. On the flip side, games against Florida, Boston, and two against Toronto provide chances to get the upper hand against playoff-bound division foes.
Seeding is not as crucial for Tampa Bay as it might be for other teams. This seasoned group knows what it takes to win the Stanley Cup. At the same time, winning consistently in April provides the team with the confidence and momentum necessary to accomplish their third-straight cup. Winning and a higher seed go hand-in-hand, so the Bolts should look to gain a firm grasp on second place in the Atlantic Division while making the Panthers a little nervous at the top.
For a brief stint, the Tampa Bay Lightning played a worrisome brand of hockey. A surprising first-round exit seemed like a possibility. Now, the Bolts find themselves turning a corner, getting back to what makes them a dangerous postseason team.
-
Ep 141: Andy Reid, Eagles, And Conference Championship Weekend w/ Joe Bannerby Full Press Coverage on January 27, 2023 at 5:36 pm
Clark and Ira are joined by former Eagles President Joe Banner to talk […]
-
Ep 140: The 49ers/Cowboys Rivalry With Former San Francisco Tight End Brent Jonesby Full Press Coverage on January 19, 2023 at 9:02 pm
Clark and Ira are joined by former 49ers tight end and three time Super […]
-
Ep 137: Hall Of Fame Discussion w/ John Turneyby Full Press Coverage on December 30, 2022 at 5:33 pm
Football historian John Turney of Pro Football Journal joins Clark and Ira […]
-
Ep 136: Remembering The Longest Game Ever Played With Larry Littleby Full Press Coverage on December 24, 2022 at 1:09 am
On the 51-year anniversary of the longest game ever played (Chiefs vs. […]
-
Ep 135: Hall of Fame Semifinalist Jahri Evans Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on December 16, 2022 at 3:51 pm
Former Saints guard and 2023 HOF Semifinalist Jahri Evans joins Clark and […]
-
Ep 134: Remember AFL/NFL Star John Hadl with Nick Canepaby Full Press Coverage on December 8, 2022 at 2:39 pm
Former Hall of Fame voter, Nick Canepa, joins Clark and Ira to discuss the […]
-
Ep 133: Hall Of Fame Semifinalist Henry Ellard Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on November 30, 2022 at 4:28 pm
Former Rams and Redskins wide receiver, Henry Ellard, joins Clark and Ira […]
-
Ep 132: Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2023 Semifinalists w/ Rick Gosselinby Full Press Coverage on November 22, 2022 at 6:15 pm
Clark and Ira are joined by Pro Football Hall of Fame voter Rick Gosselin […]
-
Ep 131: 'Football Heaven' With PFHOF Senior Advisor Joe Horriganby Full Press Coverage on November 17, 2022 at 5:55 pm
Pro Football Hall of Fame Senior Advisor, Joe Horrigan, joins Clark and […]
-
Ep 130: Remembering John McVay With Hall of Famer Eddie DeBartolo Jr.by Full Press Coverage on November 13, 2022 at 1:42 am
Clark and Ira are joined by Hall of Fame owner Eddie DeBartolo Jr. to […]
-
Ep 271: NFL Championship Roundby Full Press Coverage on January 26, 2023 at 1:58 pm
-
Ep 270: NFL Divisional Roundby Full Press Coverage on January 19, 2023 at 1:31 am
-
Ep 269: NFL Playoff Previewby Full Press Coverage on January 12, 2023 at 4:13 am
-
Ep 268: Week 16 Fantasy Rankingsby Full Press Coverage on December 21, 2022 at 9:45 pm
-
Ep.130: Bowling For Talentby Full Press Coverage on January 28, 2023 at 6:00 am
Biggs sits down with Kenneth Berry from the Tangents And Touchdowns […]
-
(Season 3.1) Commanders Roundtable w/ Deuce, DH, and DTby Full Press Coverage on January 27, 2023 at 3:56 am
George Carmi hosts Deuce, DH, and DT as they discuss the latest topics of […]
-
1/27 - Conference Championship Preview: Who is Going To The Super Bowl?by Full Press Coverage on January 27, 2023 at 9:50 am
Ian and John preview Conference Championship Weekend and give their picks […]
-
1/23 - Divisional Round Recap; Chiefs, Bengals, Eagles, and 49ers Advanceby Full Press Coverage on January 23, 2023 at 2:00 pm
Ian and John recap Divisional Round Weekend in the NFL. Learn more about […]
-
1/20 - Buccaneers Fire Byron Leftwich, NFL Divisional Round Previewby Full Press Coverage on January 20, 2023 at 10:19 am
Ian and John discuss the firing of Byron Leftwich and whether or not it […]
-
1/19 - Brady/Gronk Reunion, Aaron Rodgers, NFL News and Notesby Full Press Coverage on January 19, 2023 at 10:14 am
Ian and John discuss the potential of Brady and Ground teaming up in 2023, […]
-
Talkamania Episode 230by Talkamania on September 6, 2022 at 11:43 pm
-
Talkamania Episode 229by Talkamania on August 5, 2022 at 3:37 am
-
Boot 2 The Face Episode 210 "No Monè, No Monè, No Monè"by Boot 2 The Face on January 19, 2023 at 12:55 am
Rucker and EJ are back discussing Rucker going to Impacts Hard to Kill […]
-
Boot 2 The Face Episode 209 "Vince is Back"by Boot 2 The Face on January 11, 2023 at 2:34 am
Rucker and EJ are back talking NFL playoffs, Wrestle Kingdom and the […]
-
Pick & Rollout: NC State at Wake Forestby Broken Controller Media on January 28, 2023 at 9:30 am
-
Pick & Rollout: Xavier at Creightonby Broken Controller Media on January 28, 2023 at 8:15 am
-
Pick & Rollout: Auburn at West Virginiaby Broken Controller Media on January 28, 2023 at 7:00 am
-
Ep.130: Bowling For Talentby Full Press Coverage on January 28, 2023 at 6:00 am
-
Full Press MMA - Friday, January 27thby Full Press Coverage on January 28, 2023 at 1:30 am
-
Pick & Rollout: Air Force at New Mexicoby Broken Controller Media on January 27, 2023 at 11:00 pm
-
Raptors at Warriorsby Broken Controller Media on January 27, 2023 at 11:00 pm
-
Pick & Rollout: Buffalo at Kent Stateby Broken Controller Media on January 27, 2023 at 9:00 pm
-
Cavs at Thunderby Broken Controller Media on January 27, 2023 at 9:00 pm
-
Pick & Rollout: Oakland at Youngstown Stateby Broken Controller Media on January 27, 2023 at 7:00 pm
-
1/6 - Damar Hamlin Update, Bills/Bengals, AFC Playoffs, Week 18 Picksby Full Press Coverage on January 6, 2023 at 3:11 pm
-
Winter Classic: Bruins Rally To Beat Penguins At Fenwayby Full Press Coverage on January 4, 2023 at 2:09 am
-
1/3 - Bills/Bengals Postponed; Bruins Topple Penguins In Winter Classicby Full Press Coverage on January 4, 2023 at 2:05 am
-
1/2 - Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers, Week 17, Bills/Bengalsby Full Press Coverage on January 3, 2023 at 3:22 am
-
12/30 - New Year's Eve, Luka Doncic, NBA Talk, Week 17 Preview and Picksby Full Press Coverage on January 1, 2023 at 2:29 am
-
Aaron Rodgers, Packers Win Third Straight; Playoffs In Sightby Full Press Coverage on December 27, 2022 at 7:36 pm