The Tampa Bay Lightning currently find themselves occupying a wild card spot in the Eastern Conference with only a handful of games remaining.
GM and Team President Wes Mucyk was asked how he felt about the teams situation following Tuesday night's game.
"Well, I mean it's great. The guys have worked real hard this season, they deserve it."
"This season was about developing and not finishing in a spot in the standings (pre-lottery) where we would be giving up a top pick. We've done both those things as we should at this point in the season be able to finish in the 19th to 23rd spot, if not higher, and the playoffs will be great experience for our younger players. Not to mention the cash it will provide our organization."
Tampa has a record of 36-29-10 on the year giving them 83 pts. With only 7 games remaining on the season, the organization may be okay with a finish just outside of the playoffs, but fans want to see Phil "the thrill" Kessel punch his ticket to the dance.
Captain Austin Matthews, the Lightning's #1 center has 81 points on the season, leading his team despite not having any help from his linemates for most of the season. Matthews has also lit the lamp 37 times in 69 games.
The teams 2nd line center Kirby Dach leads all rookie skaters in the league with 57 points in 70 games on the campaign. Him and Matthews should make for a dynamite 1-2 punch down the middle for years to come.
Goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood, 25 years old, is 4th in the league in both save percentage with 0.918 and goals against average with a 2.61 after 59 games. What makes it more impressive is the other goalies for the team this season have really struggled, combining for just 4 wins in 16 games. Blackwood is expected to be the franchises goaltender for the foreseeable future.
Those 3 have had really impressive season's considering the struggles everyone else on the roster have had.
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