Season over.
TB-1
BUF-7
Antero Niittymaki [5] allowed 3 goals on 6 shots for the loss before being lifted for Mike Smith [6], who allowed 4 goals on 20 shots the rest of the way.
The Lightning are 8 points out of 8th with 7 games remaining, so it's getting to the point where the playoffs are extremely improbable statistically. When your best defenseman is Mike Lundin [7], you've got problems. It's just bizarre the way that several of the young forwards have progressed this season. Steve Downie [8] got his 21st of the season tonight and Steven Stamkos [9] has obviously been unconscious all year. But, these young d-men have not really progressed. Hedman has slid backward. Meszaros continues to steal money. Matt Smaby [10] appears to have been banished to Chateau au Bow Wow. The only guy who has progressed has been Lundin, and somewhere off with Ricky Williams and Dave Chappelle, Paul Ranger [11] has to be glad he isn't stuck in the middle of this. The goaltending, I believe, is a personnel issue. The defense is, in my mind, both a personnel and a coaching issue (and, in fairness, the Lightning have been struck with injuries again late in the year).
I hope, at some point soon, the decision to move at least Mark Parrish [12] and possibly also Paul Szczechura [13] down to Norfolk with the Admirals just 2 points out of a playoff spot. The Lightning's chances are a lost cause. The Admirals are one good weekend away from being back in the dance.
Dear Vincent Lecavalier [14]: if you're going to retaliate on someone, do it with your fists, not with your stick. Please. The latter gets you suspended.
Big Vladimir Mihalik [15] was -1 in 12:10 of ice time. I doubt that's the effort he needed to get himself penciled into next year's plans.
Box score [16] and extended statistics [17] from NHL.com.