TAMPA - With just under a month to go until the NHL playoffs begin, the Tampa Bay Lightning need just five more points to clinch a postseason spot for the fifth consecutive season.
When they do, it will also be the eighth time in the nine full seasons since Jon Cooper has been behind the bench that Tampa Bay will participate in the playoffs.
There is no danger that the Lightning will miss the postseason, it's nearly mathematically impossible. In fact, any statistical or analytical site gives Tampa Bay a 100-percent chance of making the playoffs, even though they do not yet have the -x next to ...
