Lightning Strikes | Bolts look to rebound from Game 1 embarrassment

Plus: Fans celebrate playoffs at Game 1 watch party

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View on the web Go to our home page Subscribe to the Times Tuesday, May 3, 2022 Forward this to a friend Subscribe to more newsletters [FRANK GUNN | Associated Press] Experience or not, uncharted territory for Lightning The Lightning have lost in the postseason, and they've dropped series openers, but they rarely get beat like this.   Tampa Bay's 5-0 Game 1 loss to the Maple Leafs Monday night at Scotiabank Arena was the worst loss in terms of margin of defeat in the postseason in the Jon Cooper era. It also marked another milestone: The Lightning hadn't lost by five goals in the postseason since the franchise's first playoff appearance in 1996 when Terry Crisp was head coach, Brian Bradley was their leading scorer and the team was playing home games at the Thunderdome, now known as Tropicana Field.    Monday's loss wasn't just a dud, it was a disaster. When the Lightning couldn't convert with seven power play minutes in the first 13 of the game, they seemed doomed. And from there, not only did the Leafs get all the bounces, but they were just better. They were faster, they were more focused and they fed off their home crowd.    The biggest game of the season now comes Wednesday. Despite everything that happened in Game 1, if the Lightning return to Tampa tied 1-1 in the series, they will have done their job. And last year's team never lost consecutive games in the postseason, a major reason it stayed in control of every series.   If there's any time for the Lightning to show a sense of urgency, it's now, or else their season might be over by the end of this weekend.   A repeat to remember Want to relive the Lightning’s second straight Stanley Cup win? The Tampa Bay Times has a new book for that. Striking Twice commemorates another thrilling NHL championship season. Order yours today! [FRANK GUNN | Associated Press] In case you missed it ... • Lightning-Maple Leafs Game 1 report card: Man-disadvantage   • Home cooking is only thing new for Steven Stamkos in Toronto homecoming   • Lightning fans flock together for Game 1 at Sparkman Wharf   • Playoff prank: Lightning fan kicked out of house by Maple Leaf parents   • Get ready for the chaos: Lightning-Leafs will bring star power, physicality   • We love pretty goals, but the Lightning need to bring the defense   • Five questions ahead of the Lightning-Leafs series Gain unlimited access to Lightning, Buccaneers and Rays coverage for about $1 a week! Subscribe now Stanley Cup playoffs: Lightning vs. Maple Leafs Leafs lead the series 1-0   Game 2: Wednesday at Scotiabank Arena, Toronto, 7:30 p.m., ESPN2, Bally Sports Sun, Bally Sports Florida   Game 3: Friday at Amalie Arena, 7:30 p.m., TBS, Bally Sports Sun   Game 4: Sunday at Amalie Arena, 7 p.m., TBS, Bally Sports Sun   Game 5: May 10 at Scotiabank Arena, time TBD, Bally Sports Sun*   Game 6: May 12 at Amalie Arena, time TBD, Bally Sports Sun*   Game 7: May 14 at Scotiabank Arena, time TBD, Bally Sports Sun*   *If necessary   Contact Eduardo A. Encina at eencina@tampabay.com. Follow @EddieInTheYard. Did someone forward this to you? Get Lightning Strikes in your own inbox next time. It's free to subscribe. Sign up here. Contact us Privacy policy Terms, conditions & copyright Standard of accuracy © 2022 • All Rights Reserved Tampa Bay Times • 490 First Avenue South • St. Petersburg, FL 33701 • 727-893-8111 To ensure this email is delivered to your inbox, add custserv@elist.tampabay.com to your address book. You are receiving this email because you signed up for the "Lightning Strikes" newsletter from the Tampa Bay Times. If you’d prefer not to receive updates, you can unsubscribe from this email.