Keith Srakocic / Associated Press)
WASHINGTON — The defending Eastern Conference Tampa Bay Lightning are a lot more uneasy going into the playoffs than they were a year ago. Not having Steven Stamkos and Anton Stralman can do that.
"The injuries, that's probably the biggest difference," defenseman Matt Carle said. "We were relatively healthy rolling into the playoffs last year. It's a different feel this time around."
Tampa Bay is far from the only team feeling the pain. The Pittsburgh Penguins start the playoffs without star center Evgeni Malkin and the New York Rangers won't have defenseman Ryan McDonagh right away.