In the locker room Saturday night following the loss to the Avalanche, the Lightning spoke about how they played like they wanted for large stretches of the game but were victimized by turnovers and mistakes that led directly to Colorado goals. They liked the number of shots they were able to generate, the good scoring chances they created. Colorado goaltender Pavel Francouz was a difference maker, robbing sure goals and turning the momentum of the game.
But after examining the tape a day later, the Lightning weren't as complimentary of their game.
"We all watched our shifts and watched breakdowns, certain things here with the team," McDonagh said. "We looked at the shots and might have thought we did enough to win the game, but in the grand scheme of things, it was pretty sloppy and not playing up to what is expected here from each individual and as a team. So hard practice today and with the schedule we knew it was coming too, so it was good for us to get some work in."
The response in practice to that honest assessment was positive. The Lightning brought intensity, determined to make sure they would never have to say another team outworked them again.
"I think we even made it clear at practice we need the work ethic to be a little higher during games and we worked hard today," Lightning forward Mathieu Joseph said. "I think the guys really battled really hard. No one quit. Everyone kept going until the end. The ice was getting bad at the end and we still competed. I think that was a good practice for everyone."
"There's no doubt we have it in us," McDonagh added. "We've got to get it consistent and find that motivation and find that competitiveness from the first puck drop. We've got to look each other in the eye the start of each game and make sure we're all there and ready to battle for one another. It's something we need to do here and grow here as a team."
