Lightning Bolstered by Returns for Post-Olympic Push

With 27 games packed into the next 50 days, the focus for the Tampa Bay Lightning is simple: get up to speed immediately and maintain the consistency that carried them into the Olympic break on a 19-1-1 blazing streak.

The Lightning (37-14-4, 78 points) will play its first game in 20 days tonight at 7:30 p.m. against Toronto (27-21-9, 63 points) at Benchmark International Arena.

Veteran defenseman Victor Hedman has been limited by injuries to just 21 games this season. He missed his final game for Team Sweden in the Olympics in Milano, Italy, last Thursday when he suffered a lower-body injury during warmups prior to a game against Switzerland.

He said following Tuesday’s practice that he’s feeling like himself again and eager to begin the final push of the National Hockey League regular season.

“Now the focus is on this group in here,” Hedman said. “It feels great to be back and finally starting to feel like myself again. We’ve got 27 games in 50 days, so it’s not a whole lot of time to wait for us. We’ve gotta get right up from the start.”

The Lightning enter this stretch run in a strong position, something Hedman credited to the team’s consistent play before the break.

“We put ourselves in a great spot,” Hedman said. “The way we played and the kind of consistency we’ve had — it’s been a lot of fun to be a part of and watch from the sides. We just have to keep doing what we did before the break.”

The time off also allowed the team to regroup physically. Hedman noted that several injured players are getting closer to returning, boosting an already confident locker room.

Lightning assistant coach Rob Zettler has been leading the practices for the players who did not participate in the Olympic Games. He said on Monday that he expected recently injured players such as Brayden Point (forward), Charle-Edouard D’Astous (defenseman), and Emil Lilleberg (defenseman) to return to the ice against the Maple Leafs.

Forward Nick Paul has not practiced and will not play tonight, while forward Anthony Cirelli was still wearing a red “no-contact” jersey in practice on Tuesday.

“It’s a good atmosphere in here,” Hedman continued. “We’re super excited.”

Forward Zemgus Girgensons, who played a significant role for Latvia in the Olympics, said players who competed internationally may have an easier transition back into NHL play, especially those whose Olympic runs ended early.

“I think it’s easier for the guys that were in the Olympics,” Girgensons said. “But just getting back to simple things in the game — those first couple (of practices) are always tough.”

Defenseman JJ Moser, who played for Switzerland, emphasized that the Lightning’s culture should prevent any loss of momentum despite the pause in the schedule.

“We ended on such a high,” Moser said. “I don’t think this team lets itself get out of the groove. We’ve built a culture that’s built on consistency, and that’s not going to change whether we had a break or not.”

With little time to ease back into action, the Lightning understand that urgency will define the final stretch. But if their pre-break form is any indication, they believe they are well-positioned for the grind ahead.

Following tonight’s game, Tampa Bay will host Carolina (36-15-6, 78 points) on Thursday at 7 p.m. and Buffalo (32-19-6, 70 points) on Saturday at 7 p.m.