NEW YORK — Every team’s depth is tested throughout the postseason, and the Lightning are no exception. The deeper a team gets in its chase for the Stanley Cup, the more players battle through physical ailments to stay on the ice or return to it.
And as the Lightning try to rebound from their disappointing series-opening loss to the Rangers, they’re starting to look like an extremely thin team.
Forward Brandon Hagel gutted out 13:35 of ice time in Tampa Bay’s 6-2 loss to start the Eastern Conference final, but was clearly still battling a left leg injury he sustained while blocking a shot two weeks ago in Game 2 of a second-round sweep of the Panthers.
