The Tampa Bay Lightning’s loss to Boston all but knocks the Bolts out of the playoffs.
But there is a scenario where they can still make the postseason and the team believes.
It was simple math. The Bolts needed points.
“Huge disappointment coming out with nothing,” defenseman Victor Hedman said after the loss.
Tampa Bay needed points in Tuesday night’s game against Boston. Now they need help. The loss to the Bruins pulled a lot of air out of the Lightning’s playoff push.
“We’ve asked so much of these guys," Coach Jon Cooper said. "And there are guys that are playing that in probably normal circumstances wouldn’t be dressing in games.
"But guys are just laying it out there to make that push to make the playoffs.”
“We wanted to win, obviously," defenseman Anton Stralman said. "We’re at the point where we can’t give up any points.”
The math was simple before the Boston loss. Now it’s more complex.
Three games left, beginning Thursday in Toronto. To get in, the Lightning need to win out and have either the Maple Leafs or Ottawa lose their remaining games.
“We’re not out of it yet," Hedman said. "Obviously a tough hill to climb and obviously we need some results to go our way.
"We’ve got to treat this like a playoff run. You know, we’ve had some big wins and some tough losses, so, refocusing and getting ready for the next one.”