Written by Tom Jones at Tampa Bay Times
They can lounge around all day, maybe take a nap, catch a little Judge Judy.
They can sleep in, grab a late lunch, play 18 holes.
Somebody said something about a beach.
Yep, the Lightning players can do whatever they want today. What they don’t have to do is get on a plane, fly to Detroit, practice and continue their playoff series with the Red Wings.
They made sure of that Thursday night. The game was ugly. The score was beautiful.
Tampa Bay 1, Detroit 0.
That’s it. Series won. It wasn’t easy, but it’s over. Five games. There won’t be a Game 6. Cancel that flight to Motown.
“I’m so happy that I don’t have to get on a plane (today),” Lightning forward Alex Killorn said.
Killorn made sure of that, scoring the game’s only goal with 1:43 left in the third period.
Staying put, but moving on. On to the next round.
Before then, the Lightning will get some much-needed rest. Don’t underestimate how critical that is.
Aside from taking the first step in the Stanley Cup playoffs, that’s the best thing for the Lightning. It now can put its feet up for a few days before continuing its journey through the most grueling tournament in sports.
The Lightning might not play again for a week. Rust versus rest? It’s no contest.
“Rest wins every time,” coach Jon Cooper said.
Especially this time of year.
“It doesn’t hurt,” goalie Ben Bishop said.
Not only that, a few days off also buys more time for injured regulars such as defenseman Anton Stralman and forward J.T. Brown to, perhaps, work their way back into the lineup.
It also gives the Lightning a chance to survive what sounds like a flu-type bug that is making the rounds through the locker room and might have sidelined Tyler Johnson for several shifts Thursday.
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