TAMPA, Fla. — The Lightning’s roster does have some new faces this season, but one still would be hard pressed to find a more battle-tested group. They know how to pull out wins, especially late. They have done it time and time again over the past three seasons, including under the spotlight of the playoffs.
But sometimes even the best teams need a reminder that history doesn’t guarantee future success.
The Lightning got that wake-up call early on in their home opener loss to the Flyers on Oct. 18, when they sleepwalked through the third period, blowing a one-goal lead in an eventual 3-2 loss. The Lightning had not necessarily been playing well in the final period before that game, but for many players, that loss stuck in their craw; they were embarrassed.
