Atlantic supremacy on line as Bruins visit Lightning

TAMPA, Fla. -- As much as anything that can be considered a playoff preview, the Tampa Bay Lightning play host to the Boston Bruins on Saturday night, the first of three meetings in the final 12 games of the regular season.

Tampa Bay (48-18-4) continues to lead the Atlantic Division, but it is only four points up on the Bruins (44-17-8), who also have a game in hand as they make a final push for the top seed in the division.

"This is the perfect time for Boston to come in," Lightning associate head coach Rick Bowness said. "We just had a stinker against Ottawa. With the Bruins coming in, it gets your attention right away. They're a great hockey club, very well-coached and they're right on our…