The heartbreaks of 2015, 2016, 2018, and 2019 have conditioned Tampa Bay Lightning fans to fear and expect the worst. Handed a golden opportunity to clinch the franchise’s second Stanley Cup on Saturday night in the second half of a back-to-back set, the Bolts were unable to get more than two pucks past a tired Anton Khudobin and dropped a 3-2 double overtime decision.
Calling the Game Five loss a missed opportunity doesn’t do it justice. The Lightning played an incredibly strong game from start to finish, including throughout the overtime periods. Quick mental lapses and blown coverage in front of their own goaltender on just a couple occasions was all it took to turn that almost-perfect performance into a devastating loss. Dallas has life, and pressure is starting to creep its way back onto the Lightning’s back.
The clearest difference between Tampa’s Game Four victory and Game Five loss was the lack of special teams opportunities. The Lightning cashed in majorly in Game Four, scoring three power play goals on their way to glory. Coincidentally (*wink* *nudge* *wink*), after complaining about the Game Four officiating what felt like the 24 hours leading into Game Five, the Stars apparently managed to play one of the cleanest games in playoff history. One penalty in five periods of action! Unfortunately, the officials have made themselves a part of this series in a material way, and there’s nothing we can do but wonder about the impact they’ll have on Monday night.
Speaking of Monday night, the Lightning are in a must-win situation that isn’t actually a must-win. Having this series go seven games, after building a 3-1 lead, would be a confidence-shaking development. The time for the Lightning’s best players to go out and bring the Cup back to Tampa is now. Not Wednesday.
If the Bolts are going to win the Stanley Cup, they are going to have to do it without Steven Stamkos. Previously listed as questionable for the remainder of the series, Stamkos was ruled out for the remainder of the playoffs in an announcement from the coach on Sunday. His three minutes of ice time in Game Three – which included a goal – will go down in history as a true “Because It’s the Cup… moment if the Lightning can get the job done. It’s not as though the team needs any more motivation, but they really should go out and win it for Steven.
Outside of the Stamkos news, nothing has been confirmed as far as lineup decisions go. Given the trouble that the team had clearing the crease on Dallas’ goals in Game Five, it wouldn’t surprise me to see Zach Bogosian or Luke Schenn take the place of Jan Rutta, who quite frankly has looked woefully overmatched on more than a few occasions since returning from injury.
Regardless of what the lineup looks like, there’s not much more to say: Go win it.
As always, thanks for reading.