The Tampa Bay Lightning are facing the Dallas Stars at 9:30 p.m. on ESPN with a chance to clinch playoff birth.
Late night in Dallas. 🌚#TBLvsDAL: https://t.co/vVET5Lp25h pic.twitter.com/iVa1xvSuGQ
— Tampa Bay Lightning (@TBLightning) April 12, 2022
The Lightning’s last game
The Lightning are coming off of a 5-0 home win against Buffalo. In addition, goalie Brian Elliot recorded 28 saves. Elliot was named the Player of the Week.
On the offensive end, Corey Perry, Ondrej Palat, Brandon Hagel, Nikita Kurcherov and Ross Colton all recorded goals.
The Stars’ last game
Meanwhile, the Stars are coming off of a 6-4 away win against the Chicago Blackhawks. In the Sunday game, Jamie Benn, Joe Pavelski, Roope Hintz, Jason Robertson and Tyler Seguin all scored. Furthermore, Robertson scored back-to-back goals in the second period just over three minutes apart.
The Lightning and Stars’ previous game against each other
The Lightning and the Stars faced each other for the first time this season in Tampa, FL, on Jan. 15. The Lightning came up with a 3-1 win. In the mid-January match up, goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy recorded 19 saves. Tampa Bay’s Brayden Point, Colton and Alex Killorn scored. Furthermore, right-wing Kucherov had two assists to Point and Colton.
In the first-game between the two teams, the Stars’ Esa Lindell scored the only goal for Dallas in the first period.
Possible ways Tampa can clinch a playoff spot
The NHL Public Relations Twitter page posted a tweet explaining the possible scenarios for the Lightning to clinch a seat in the playoffs Tuesday.
A look at how the two-time defending #StanleyCup champion @TBLightning can punch their ticket to the postseason tonight. #NHLStats pic.twitter.com/oYWjPmVWfn
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) April 12, 2022
Tampa is in third in the Atlantic Division standings recording 96 points. On the other hand, Dallas is fifth in the Central Division standings with 86 points.