Consecutive losses by the Tampa Bay Lightning have put them in a tight spot in tonight's game against the Montreal Canadiens at Amalie Arena. It's another elimination opportunity where they hold the upper hand, but there is a huge pressure to perform and win now. The home-ice advantage will be gone with a loss, and to go to Montreal while having lost the last three consecutive games seems a huge mental and morale obstruction.
Monday night's late news of Ryan Callahan and his appendectomy also puts pressure on the club to perform without one of its veteran leaders.