COLUMBUS, OH (WFLA)- After 82 games, 62 wins and a host of postseason accolades to come, the Tampa Bay Lightning will fight for its playoff life tonight in game four of its first-round series against the Columbus Blue Jackets.
The Lightning trail the Jackets three games to none, a scenario that has shocked the Stanley Cup playoffs and sets up the potential for one of the biggest falls by a President’s Trophy winning team.
At Tuesday’s morning skate, the entire team participated and the mood was loose but focused.
“We’ve had this mentality all year,” head coach Jon Cooper said. “They’ve been loose. There’s no reason to change our DNA. They know what’s ahead of them. They know the task.”
“We’re still in this series,” forward Brayden Point said. “Still got a game to play here. We’re going to do our best, work our hardest and see how it goes.”
The Lightning will be without defensemen Victor Hedman and Anton Stralman in game four. Forward Alex Killorn is a game-time decision. Killorn left game three with a lower-body injury but was a full participant at the morning skate.
The Lightning will also see forward Nikita Kucherov return to the lineup after serving a one-game suspension in game three, for a boarding penalty late in game two. Kucherov said he did not enjoy watching the game on television Sunday and is ready to help his team attempt to keep its season alive tonight.
“There’s no pressure. We just want to take it one game at a time,” said Kucherov. “We are a confident group, have good players, good goalie. We’re just going to have fun.”
If the Lightning win game four, they will line up again Friday night at Amalie Arena in Tampa, in game five, playing for survival again.
