TAMPA, FLA. (WFLA) — For the third straight season, the Tampa Bay Lightning are knocked out of the playoffs in the first round.
Twice by Florida. Although it stings, the team looks forward to another round with their rival.
“We have to put a stop to that next year. We have a good team that we believe in and that’s not going to change going forward,” said Lightning captain Victor Hedman.
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What can we take away from this series? A handful of Lightning players had never been in the playoffs.
Next season, they will come back with that in their pocket. Forward Conor Geekie is one player who has a promising future with the Bolts.
Geekie, at just 20 years old, had a key role in the post-season once Oliver Bjorkstrand was out with an injury.
“We have some good young prospects. You always want that and like I said, picking him up, he’s 20, the future is bright,” said Lightning head coach Jon Cooper.
“It’s good for the young guys who never had the feeling of postseason hockey, so hopefully we can build on that throughout the summer,” said Hedman.