Looking to rebound from two very disappointing losses, the playoff bound Tampa Bay Lightning will take to the ice tonight for a battle with the struggling Toronto Maple Leafs. Contrary to the predictions of certain posters here, the Bolts have wrapped up a playoff spot while the Leafs have tumbled right down the standings and almost out of contention. A Tampa win tonight would all but eliminate Toronto from the race.
This is the last of four meetings between the Lightning and Leafs this year; Toronto won the first two meetings, but Tampa bounced back with a 5-3 victory on March 19th. That game was Steven Stamkos’ first of the season against the Leafs. Unsurprisingly, he scored the game winning goal as part of a hat trick.
With only one week left in the regular season, it’s going to be hard for the Lightning to remain focused on the task at hand in a relatively meaningless game like this one. Jon Cooper and his staff have a lot of work to do, as it’s their job to make sure that everybody shows up to play. I’m of the belief that the home ice advantage dream has all but faded away, so it just doesn’t seem like there’s a whole lot to play for. The Leafs, on the other hand, may want to keep their razor-thin playoff hopes alive.
Cooper will continue to ride his number one goaltender, as Ben Bishop is expected to get the start in net. If you’ve read my last few blogs, you’ll know how I feel about this. I think it’s a bad move. Bishop needs rest. Giving him rest against a possession black hole like the Leafs would have made sense. There’s really no benefit that can come from continuing to ride an already injured goaltender. The team needs Bishop to be at or near his best if it wants to beat Montreal in round one.
The Tampa Tribune’s Erik Erlendsson couldn’t confirm any lineup information, but did note who was last off the ice at the morning skate. That should give you a pretty good indication of who won’t be playing this evening.
No word on the lineup but Malone, Crombeen, Aulie, Barberio, Kunyk, Kostka last players off the ice
— Erik Erlendsson (@erlendssonTBO) April 8, 2014For all these reasons, it’s tough to predict what’s going to happen tonight. I don’t know what sort of Leafs team we’re going to see. Are we going to see a dejected team that has realized its playoff dream is over? Or are we going to see a team that is fighting to keep that dream alive? Are the Lightning going to show up? Or are they already looking towards round one? I suppose all these questions will be answered tonight.
Back with a game recap tonight. As always, thanks for reading.