Hockey on the Beach podcast with
Daria Mironova
 
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Originally written for Tampa Bay Sports Journal. For the fourth consecutive postseason, the Tampa Bay Lightning failed to survive the first round. But unlike previous playoff exits, this one appeared different – and far more alarming. In recent years, Tampa Bay could point to the overwhelming force of the Florida Panthers, a team that bullied opponents with tireless forechecking, physicality, and playoff intensity, en route to dominating the league. This time, however, the se

The Tampa Bay Lightning are reeling after a punishing four-game road trip. This stretch didn’t uncover new weaknesses—it put all existing issues under a glaring spotlight. Losing three of four—2-4 in Buffalo, 2-6 in Ottawa, 1-2 in Montreal, and 2-1 in Boston—reveals all the cracks. The first-round opponent and dates remain uncertain, but serious concerns must be addressed before the playoffs begin. Key Takeaways 1. The Lightning can’t get through the Buffalo Sabres and Montr