What Are The Tampa Bay Lightning So Afraid Of?

Yesterday the National Hockey League and the National Hockey League Players Association agreed to a new 24 team tournament to complete the 2019-2020 season that has been suspended since March 12th.  Today, former Sportsnet insider and full-time seltzer brewmaster Nick Kypreos named the 2 NHL clubs that voted against the resumption of play.

The two @NHL teams that voted against @NHLPA 24 team format were playoff teams. @Canes and @TBLightning https://t.co/bizAbf6mMR

— Nick Kypreos (@RealKyper) May 23, 2020

Carolina, I fully understand.  As a team that isn’t built to win now, I certainly don’t want to see more hands in the cookie jar than necessary.  After last year’s miracle run to the conference final, the Canes know anything can happen.  My biggest issue is what are the Tampa Bay Lightning so afraid of?  Out of any team in the ENTIRE LEAGUE, they’re the ones who are benefitting the most with the proposed 24 team tournament.  Somehow after being 8 million points behind the Boston Bruins, the Lightning will be rewarded by either playing the John Tavares-less New York Islanders or the even shittier Florida Panthers who have a 10 million dollar goalie who can’t stop a beach ball.  Toronto is who Tampa should have to play, but for some reason under this format, the Bruins and Leafs will surely meet again for the 800th time which is a joke.

As per @FriedgeHNIC and @reporterchris, the NHL and NHLPA are working on various Stanley Cup Playoff scenarios. Here's what a 24-team, conference-based setup with a play-in round could potentially look like.

Thoughts? 🤔

Details: https://t.co/GgNJC9h5Ax pic.twitter.com/1XFFgKpush

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) May 21, 2020

I understand that Steven Stamkos has been hockey’s version of Dan Marino over the years, failing to lead his team to anything noteworthy while being beloved for putting up numbers, but even I’m surprised the Lightning aren’t jumping at this opportunity.  The ownership must have learned a lot last season when the heartless Bolts were swept by a pretty average Columbus Blue Jackets team. What are they afraid of ?

Something tells me I know.

Chris Mancuso

My name is Chris Mancuso I am the CEO of Tarps Off Hockey, I started Tarps Off Hockey with one goal in mind… Put the fun back in Hockey and thats what were doing! Lets get it.

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