Maybe it’s because they miss Steven Stamkos more than some anticipated. Maybe it’s just a tough stretch. Maybe the Tampa Bay Lightning should be worried?
Either way, it was a grim Tuesday for the Bolts, who dropped their third straight game via a lopsided 5-1 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets. This loss also marks the Lightning’s fourth regulation defeat in their last five games.
It’s not just the losses, but how the Lightning keep losing. Take a look at this three-game skid:
Friday: 5-3 loss vs. Blue Jackets
Sunday: 4-1 loss at Bruins
Tonight: 5-1 loss at Blue Jackets
Losing by a combined score of 14-5, and particularly allowing so many goals, has to be a little troubling for Tampa Bay. They’ve now allowed 30+ shots on goal in seven straight contests.
#tblightning Brian Boyle: "I'd love to play against us right now. It's easy."
— Joe Smith (@JoeSmithNHL) November 30, 2016
At 13-10-1, the Lightning are by no means in crisis mode. They’ve already experienced one other stretch where they’ve lost four of five (from Oct. 27 to Nov. 3), so this isn’t totally foreign territory.
Even so, it’s reasonable to at least bring up the question.
Meanwhile, the Blue Jackets stand as a team capable of blowing just about anyone out. With a 12-5-4 record, they’re exceeding virtually all expectations.