The Tampa Bay Lightning are on the outmost edge of being mathematically alive for the postseason at this stage of the season. In eleventh place in the Eastern Conference and nine points back of eighth place Buffalo with six games remaining in the season. Lightning captain Vincent Lecavalier is expected to make his return to the Lightning roster Thursday evening as Tampa faces the New Jersey Devils.
The Devils have a chance to clinch a playoff spot Thursday by gaining one point on ninth-place Washington. Tampa Bay won the last game the two teams played against each other on Feb. 26, 4-3 thanks to a Martin St. Louis hat trick. Him, Steven Stamkos and Lecavalier will all be needed on offense to try and delay the celebration of a playoff berth in New Jersey.
The game is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. Television coverage will be provided by Sunshine Network.