As of the time this poll is published, the Lightning are 10-2-2, with 22 points and in first place with a five-point lead over the Ottawa Senators in the Atlantic Division.
Before we get to the poll question itself, let’s establish a couple indisputable truths:
- This is November. There’s a long, long way to go and the Lightning have guaranteed themselves nothing.
- A good start is better than a bad one (duh), but it doesn’t always result in anything significant (see: Montreal Canadiens, last couple of seasons).
- There will be bumps in the road, because there always are and sometimes those bumps ruin everything (see: Montreal Canadiens, last couple of seasons)/
Having established these truths, we find ourselves with 17% of the season in the rearview mirror and a pretty spectacular record. Closer to 20% (or one-fifth) than 10%. That’s a good-sized chunk.
And before anybody gets upset, we’re not “jinxing” anything. Nobody’s counting any chickens, unhatched or otherwise. If the record reflected otherwise, we wouldn’t be conceding defeat (see: Arizona Coyotes, right now). We’re merely asking, when does the start stop being just a start and become more than that?
So that’s this week’s question; at what point do we stop saying this is a great start and start saying this is a great season?
Are the Tampa Bay Lightning off to more than a good start yet?
| Yes. We’re far enough along to be “for real”. Relax and enjoy what should be a great season! | 112 |
| Yes, but not nearly far enough along to get too excited about it. | 152 |
| No. The amount of games played is not enough to make any kind of evaluation yet. | 21 |
| No, and it’s not even that great a start; there are obvious flaws and defects that need to be corrected. | 15 |
