TAMPA - Blame it on the short summer. Cast a thought toward a Stanley Cup Final hangover.
Perhaps, as happens to be the case, the Lightning, having won the Eastern Conference title last season, are now getting the best game every night from their opposition.
Whatever the reason, early in the season Tampa Bay looks nothing like a team ready to run roughshod over the Eastern Conference this season and make another run to the Final.
The Lightning fell to 0-3-2 in the past five games following a 3-1 loss to Boston on Saturday. Since opening the season with three consecutive victories, Tampa Bay has just two wins in the past eight games and lost for the third time on home ice this season after losing just eight games in regulation at home last season.