"Like I said after last game, we did a lot of good things. In the offensive end, we've probably hit a little bit of a roadblock in some of the things we have to do. We addressed it today, but if we're going to give up two goals in regulation over three-game periods and continue to do that, I'll take our chances."
Playing the right way certainly seems to be a higher priority than clinching a spot in the postseason for Tampa Bay. With nine games remaining and the Lightning's magic number at two, a playoff berth is virtually inevitable. Having gone to the postseason in four-straight seasons and winning two Stanley Cups, the Bolts know there's much more that goes into this process than just clinching.
"I think we're, like you said, just going out there and trying to focus on our game," said Lightning forward Anthony Cirelli. "I think our goal is to try to win every night.
"When you look at the standings, there's a lot of teams that are really close, so we've got to try to get as many points as we can."
Based on line rushes at Tampa Bay's morning skate, Cirelli will likely continue to skate on a line with Alex Killorn and Brandon Hagel. Since being acquired from the Blackhawks at the trade deadline, Hagel has skated in 13 games with the Lightning and scored three goals.
"I think we've found some chemistry," Cirelli said. "Hages (Hagel) works so hard. He wins a lot of battles. He's always in the right spot. He's very skilled. He makes plays. He kind of does it all.
"Killer (Killorn), I've been playing with him for a while now, so I kind of know what he brings to the table. Same thing - big body, takes pucks to the net, protects the puck well. He's good in the d-zone and he makes plays.
"I think all of us try to emphasize the little things. Hopefully we get a couple more goals here, but I think the more games we play the more chemistry we're building."
If that line can grab a few goals down the stretch, it would likely end with Killorn hitting a couple milestones before the conclusion of the regular season. The Halifax, Nova Scotia native has already posted a career-high 52 points this season with 21 goals and 31 assists through 73 contests. He can match his career high for assists (32) with one more helper and needs just five points to hit 400 career points.
One of five Tampa Bay skaters to eclipse 400 career points is forward Corey Perry, who appeared in 988 career games and won a Stanley Cup with tonight's opponent, the Anaheim Ducks. Tonight will almost certainly mark Perry's final game against longtime friend and teammate, Ryan Getzlaf, who announced that he will retire at the end of the regular season.
