Friday, 4 a.m.
The question is no longer if the Tampa Bay Lightning will make the NHL playoffs. The question is how much damage they can do while they’re there.
The scalding hot Lightning was at it again Thursday night, bashing the Montreal Canadiens 7-4 to sweep a back-to-back. The Bolts, horrible on the road at the start of the season, are now 20-16-4 away from home.
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The Bolts are 10-1-1 in their last 12 games and 43-26-7overall.
There were a lot of impressive facts in their latest win. NHL points-leader Nikita Kucherov had three points, including his 43rd goal. Steven Stamkos had two goals to bring his season total to 34. Nick Paul had two to up his total to 22. Brandon Hagel had a goal to up his total to 24.
Backup goaltender Matt Tomkins, making his fourth NHL start, won with 26 saves.
The Lightning plays at Pittsburgh on Saturday night at 7 p.m.