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Lightning game recaps

Game 72: Tampa Bay Lightning at Ottawa Senators

The Tampa Bay Lightning lost to the Ottawa Senators in overtime 3-2.

It all seemed to be going so well for the Lightning. That is, right up until the Senators scored a shorthanded goal 12:27 seconds into the third period. They'd been up 2-0 at that point and seemed in control of the game.

But their shorthanded problems came back to haunt them. They gave up their league leading 13th shorthanded goal of the season. It's something that's been haunting them all season.

Of course, once the defense realizes that they can't fully commit offensively to the power play, maybe that will be all figured out. Since it's been going on all season, I don't have a lot of confidence that that will happen. But a girl can hope, I guess.

So the problems that have been plaguing them all season seem to be these:

  • Giving up shorthanded goals.
  • Playing down to teams that aren't as good as they are.
  • Not being able to play with a lead.

The good news is that at least one of those ought to not be a problem in playoffs. Most of the teams that will make it in will be good teams. So that's something.

Actually, it's games like this that make you realize that this team has really been overachieving this season. They're good, really good at times, but they're not Stanley Cup material at this point.

But then, no one expected them to be at the beginning of the season. Most predictions has them between sixth and eighth in the Eastern Conference, and that's about where they are right now. While it's frustrating to watch them lose, they're still going to make playoffs, and they're going to improve next season. And that's definitely a good thing.

They're next game is on Tuesday, 22 March, against the New York Islanders. It's at home, so the game time is at 7:30 pm Eastern. If you're not going to the game, join us here on the Raw Charge game thread. It will open at 7 pm.

Lightning vs Senators recap [TSN]

Lightning vs Senators boxscore [TSN]

Lightning vs Senators coverage [SB Nation]

Silver Seven [SB Nation]

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