The Lightning have dug themselves in a deep hole, going down 3-0 to the Florida Panthers in the first round of the playoffs. While they certainly weren't the favourite to win the series, no one is expecting the Panthers to outright sweep the former back-to-back Stanley Cup champions from 2020 and 2021.
Head Coach Jon Cooper revealed the message he shared with his team, saying that if they didn't believe in themselves, they shouldn't come to the arena.
We could very well be seeing the end of the dominant era that was the Tampa Bay Lightning. They went back-to-back in 2020 and 2021 and made it to the Cup finals in 2022. Last season, we saw the Leafs send them home in the first round, and it looks like they won't make it past the first round this year either. With Stamkos' contract coming to an end, the Lightning could look like an entirely different organization in just a few months.
