For the first time this season, the Tampa Bay Lightning (7-4-2, 2nd, Southeast division) find themselves tasked with snapping a losing streak. They'll get a chance to do so at home with one game at the Forum before going back on the road for a pair against Eastern Conference powerhouses.
After a shutout victory in Phoenix, the Lightning headed to California for three games and only picked up one point, in an overtime loss to the Anaheim Ducks, before dropping the next two against the Los Angeles Kings and San Jose Sharks in regulation. It's the first time this season the Bolts have lost consecutive games. The Lightning are now 4-4-2 in their last 10 games and have dropped to second place in the division as a result.
First up for the Lightning this week will be the Toronto Maple Leafs (5-5-3, 4th in the Northeast division) making their first visit to the St. Pete Times Forum this season on Tuesday. The Leafs began the season red hot, winning their first four games but have cooled considerably since, winning only once. Clarke MacArthur leads the teams in points and goals (11,7 respectively) while Jean-Sebastien Giguere is the primary netminder with a 2.31 goals against average, a .909 save percentage and all four of the team's wins to his credit.
The Bolts hit the road again on Thursday for their first meeting with division rivals, the Washington Capitals (9-4-0, 1st, Southeast division). The Caps have won seven of their last 10 and are paced, as you'd expect, by superstar Alex Ovechkin, leading Washington in points (17) and assists (9) while Alexander Semin leads with eight goals.
The next night, the Lightning will find themselves in Pittsburgh to take on the Penguins (7-7-1, 3rd, Atlantic division). The two teams last met on Oct. 27, prevailing 5-3 at home. As of this writing, the Penguins have won three in a row. Naturally, Sidney Crosby leads the way, pacing the Pens in points (19), goals (9) and assists (10), Brent Johnson is the number one goalie, having posted six wins with a 1.63 goals against average and a save percentage of .943.