Pride or playoff postion?

The Lightning made the playoffs last night with thanks to the Washington Capitals dismantling of the Atlanta Thrashers. The potential is there for the Lightning to move up from the #8 seed to the 7th if they win tonight and the New Jersey Devils (playing for the Atlantic Division crown) defeat the Montreal Canadiens.

But what do the Lightning want?

I think the general consensus among Lightning fans is that they would prefer to be paired with the Carolina Hurricanes in the 1st round of the playoffs. The Bolts have fared well against the 'Canes and it would be one hell of a series if the back-to-back games last weekend is any indication.

The other part of that consensus is the Lightning are owned by the Ottawa Senators and it'd be best to avoid them at all costs.

There will be some scoreboard watching, for sure, as the game progresses.

And as a note -- Maxime Daigneault has been called up by the Washington Capitals from the ECHL for tonights finale. No word if he's starting.