CALGARY, Alberta — A victory on Tuesday would have put the Tampa Bay Lightning into a three-way tie for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
But just as their season has gone, the Lightning were unable to take advantage of that opportunity.
A poor start put Tampa Bay behind and the Lightning never recovered in a 3-1 loss to the Calgary Flames on Tuesday.
Tampa Bay was nearly shut out for the fifth time this season as former Lightning goaltender Karri Ramo turned aside 30 shots. Steven Stamkos beat Ramo with 1:39 left in the third period to prevent a shutout.