TORONTO — The Lightning opens the Stanley Cup playoffs this week when they face the Washington Capitals in their first round robin game. Tampa Bay beat the Florida Panthers 5-0 in their exhibition game, but the players say the adjustment period is over.
"We’re treating them as must-win games," said forward Alex Killorn. "These games, the seeding can be pretty important going forward with the playoff system we have. I don’t know if we’re fine-tuning certain things. I think it’s just must-win games. We’re just trying to go win them."
The Lightning, Bruins, Capitals and Flyers will play a round robin tournament to decide who gets seeded 1 to 4 when the next round of the postseason begins.
Tampa Bay and Washington drop the puck at 4 p.m. on Monday.
