Lightning So Likely To At Least Make The Semis, AGAIN

The 2 time defending champion, Tampa Bay Lightning have won 5 straight tilts and have a commanding (3-0) lead vs the top ranked/President’s Trophy winning Florida Panthers in their “quarter.”

Thus T.B. is almost certain to make a third straight “semis” appearance and sixth in the last 8 seasons.

The Lightning have made/will make the semis in all 7 seasons starting in ’11, and including ’15,’16, ’18, ’20-’22 (if they win this “qtr”) in which they won at least one ‘offs game.

In both ’11 and ’17 the Lightning lost a road 7th game in the semis while in ’18 they lost #7/semis at home.

All 3 teams that won those 7th games vs the Lightning prevailed in the final round to take the title. (Bruins in ’11, Penguins in ’16 and the Caps in ’18, while each of those teams was “prelim’d out in 7 games last week, all on the road).

Before winning the back to back titles the past 2 seasons and going a superb (39-13) to this point and (32-10) in the previous 2 title winning ‘offs seasons, President’s Trophy winning Tampa Bay was shocked out in 4 straight games by Columbus in the ’19 prelims.

In ’12, ’13 and ’17 T.B. missed the ‘offs while in addition to being swept in the prelims by Columbus in ’19, “T.B.” was swept by Montreal in the ’14 prelims.

In ’15 they lost to Chicago’s 3rd crown in 6 seasons, in the NHL Final.

Altogether with their 8th semis appearance virtually assured, they are a “Whitey Ford 1961” (25-4) to have either made the semis or failed to win an ‘offs game in their 29 seasons.

The Lightning are or will be an incredible (8-1) in “quarters.” Only in ’03, the season before their first title did they lose one.

They lost in the first round but won at least one game in ’96, ’06 and ’07 and failed to qualify for the ‘offs 15 times, including 9 times in their first 10 seasons (’93-’02).

 

The superb Lightning coach, Jon Cooper pictured above.