NHL Season Secrets: Uncover the Surprising Strengths, Hidden Weaknesses, and Game-Changing X Factors for Every Team
This season hinges on… How Tampa Bay weathers the regular-season grind. It’s no secret the Lightning know how to win when it counts; they were back-to-back Stanley Cup champions in 2020 and 2021. What has plagued Tampa Bay more recently is its inability to extend its regular-season success into the postseason. The Lightning have had three consecutive first-round playoff exits while failing to show the resiliency that made them a formidable threat in previous postseasons.
It’s not for a lack of lineup depth. It’s more that the contributions Tampa Bay counts on aren’t coming through when it matters most. Fatigue is also a factor for a group that leans heavily on Hedman, 34, and Kucherov, 32. How the Lightning bear the brunt of an 82-game grind will determine whether they make the postseason and their playoff impact.
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