No Harm Done: TB 2 - FLA 5

The Lightning could have tied Atlanta for the Southeast lead with a win. They also could have nearly dropped out of playoff contention with a loss. Neither happened last night after the Bolts lost their second game in a row, getting drubbed by Florida 5-2. Also losing last night were the Rangers and Carolina, so no ground was gained or lost by the Lightning, who still occupy the 7th seed in the East. But that doesn't make Tuesday's loss to the stinkin' Panthers any easier to swallow.

Lightning killers Nathan Horton and Olli Jokinen each put up 3 points and Eddie the eagle stopped 27 of 29 to hand the Lightning the defeat. "This hurts. This game really hurts right now," Lightning captain Tim Taylor said. "All is not lost. We have to remain positive. You never want a team thinking negative thoughts."

After giving up 3 goals in the 2nd period, Marc Denis was replaced by Johan Holmqvist to start the third. Holmqvist was solid, not surrendering any goals in the frame. On the bright side, the Bolts got goals from their second line and defense, other than Boyle. Brad Richards put the Bolts on the board in the second off a feed from Jason Ward. And down 3-1 in the third, the Lightning got a shorthanded goal from Philip Kuba on a nice slapper from the left point. But that was it. The Panthers added two empty netters at the end to take it to 5-2.

After the game, coach Tortorella said the Lightning would get into the playoffs. "We're taking the long route here, that's for sure, about getting in," Tortorella said. "We are going to get in. We're just going around the block. We're going to get there. It's a guarantee."

The Panthers have won 4 of 7 over the Bolts this year. Next up the Lightning hit the road to face Carolina Friday in Raleigh.

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