TAMPA — It takes the 20.
It takes everyone.
That’s true of any journey in the Stanley Cup playoffs, particularly an extended one. Everyone who laces on skates gets called upon at one time or another. Sometimes they come from the background.
That’s what Lightning defenseman Matt Carle did.
“For sure, it’s nothing that’s not new to me,” Carle said. “I’ve been in these situations before. I think I’ve always been kind of a background player. When those opportunities come, you have to be ready.”
The Lightning are hoping to have defenseman Anton Stralman back for the Islanders series.