After an 11- game win streak, it’s no surprise that the Tampa Bay Lightning fell short for the second game in a row.
On February 22, the Arizona Coyotes beat the Lightning 7-3, with a 41 SOG count, compared to the Lightning’s 30.
Though the game now leaves the Lightning 5 points behind the Boston Bruins, second place in the league, the loss is definitely an angel in disguise.
Rewind to the unfortunate turn of events of last year’s post season, the Lightning simply needed a loss in the second half of this season.
Having such a strong regular 2018-2019 season with a league high 128 points, the team choked in the post season. From being on top for such a large portion of the season, their lack of hunger to win had got the best of them.
Losing is what the Tampa Bay Lightning needs. It’s what gives them more fuel to excel in the games following. Up until around mid November this season, that’s all that they were doing, and now they are back to the thriving numbers seen in last year’s regular season.
The loss to the Arizona Coyotes, following the loss to the Golden Knights on February 20, kills none of my confidence in the Lightning’s success, but rather builds it up. It brings the team back to reality, showing them that smooth sailing through the season is not an option.
Whether they are on top or are trailing behind the rest of the league, every game is a game to play their hardest, and losing can only remind them of it!
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