Prior to their scoring slump, the Bolts had been averaging 3.68 goals per game and were leading the NHL for scoring. Now, since goals have been hard to come back, they've fallen to 3.39 goals per game, dropping behind Colorado (3.61) and Washington (3.42) in the League rankings.
Teams go through stretches throughout a season where goals are hard to come by. It's part of the natural ups and downs of a season. But recently, the Lightning have faced teams that are playing tighter structurally defensively, making it difficult for the Bolts to get inside and create those good scoring chances.
Most of the Lightning's shots during their slide have come from the perimeter, and opponents have done a better job getting to the rebounds first and not giving the Bolts second-chance opportunities.
Too, the Lightning have been facing a number of desperate teams of late. Tampa Bay solidified its spot atop the Central Division standings along with Florida and Carolina with its fast start to the season. The Lightning now have the luxury of going through some growing pains without falling out of a playoff position.
Other teams, like tonight's opponent Columbus, are on the playoff bubble where every game down the stretch is magnified. Their desperation level has ratcheted up, and the Lightning need to match that intensity to break their slump.
"I think the teams we're playing are very sound defensively," Lightning forward Alex Killorn said. "I think Columbus we've played, Detroit, even though they don't have the greatest record, I think defensively, they've come a long way. They have some lines that check really well, and their goalie played well. I think (our scoring slide) is a combination of the teams we've played and the ebbs and flows of a season. But it's a little adversity. Hopefully, we can get out of it."
Lightning head coach Jon Cooper said the Central Division is a checking division. A number of opponents the Lightning play take away time and space and make it really difficult to find room to operate in the offensive zone. Two of the top three teams in the NHL for fewest goals against in 2019-20 - Dallas at 2.52 goals allowed per game and Columbus at 2.61) - reside in the Central this season.
Some of the Lightning's top scorers have suffered as a result. Steven Stamkos, tied for the Bolts' goal lead, has gone six-straight games without a goal. Brayden Point, who's tied with Stamkos for goals, was on a four-game slump until scoring three over two games Thursday and Saturday. Ondrej Palat has one goal in the last 13 games.
Tampa Bay's secondary scoring has dried up too. Killorn is on a five-game goalless stretch. Anthony Cirelli has one goal in his last 12 contests. Barclay Goodrow hasn't scored since February 25.
"We like our group of guys," Cooper said. "We have a system that hopefully can generate some goals. Right now, it hasn't been to what we're expecting. But I can go back through game film and sit here and say, 'oof, can't believe that didn't go in,' or 'can't believe that didn't go in.' You've just got to keep being consistent and don't let frustration get the best of you because our plan has worked in the past and we're fairly confident it's going to work in the future. We've got a good group of guys. You go through ups and downs in the season. Right now, we're in a little dip in the scoring, but we'll be back."
Killorn said the key, while the team works to break out of its scoring drought, is to continue to be diligent defensively so they can win those low-scoring, one-goal games. And then when the scoring does come back, their defensive structure remains intact.
"Defensively, we always want to make sure we're doing well, and that's really what helps you in the playoffs," Killorn said. "I don't think it's a terrible thing we're not scoring as much, we've got to work on our defensive game."
CERNAK, MCELHINNEY SKATING: Both Erik Cernak and Curtis McElhinney took part in Tampa Bay's morning skate ahead of Tuesday's contest in Columbus against the Blue Jackets.
Neither will play tonight, though.
Cernak has missed the last six games with a lower-body injury and is inching his way toward a return, but Cooper said he will not play Tuesday.
Cooper is, however, hopeful Cernak will make an appearance at some point on the four-game road trip, which starts tonight and concludes next Tuesday in Nashville.
McElhinney "tweaked something" Saturday night prior to his scheduled start versus Detroit Sunday in the second half of a back-to-back, which necessitated third-stringer Christopher Gibson making his first NHL appearance in over two years, stopping 13-of-17 shots in the 5-1 loss to the Red Wings.
Andrei Vasilevskiy is expected to get the start tonight when the Lightning kick off the road trip against the Blue Jackets.
