The Tampa Bay Lightning resume their season Sunday, hosting the Seattle Kraken at Amalie Arena after a two-week break for the Four Nations tournament.
The Bolts went 4-0 in the week prior to the break, winning four games against division opponents with two wins against Ottawa and one each against Detroit and Montreal.
The Lightning had been inconsistent up until that week, but they were solid in all three phases of the game: offense, defense, and special teams as they reeled off four wins.
The Lightning have had some injuries on the blue line but will get help as JJ Moser is ready to return. Moser, who missed the last 10 weeks with a lower-body injury, was excellent in the first part of the season. When Moser went down, the defense also took a step back. Moser can also contribute offensively from the blue line, as he has two goals and eight assists (10 points) in 27 games so far this season.
Lightning assistant coach Rob Zettler is excited to get Moser back in the lineup: “JJ is a top-four defenseman. He defends extremely well. He’s competitive. He adds some offense. He should be good to go, but we’re really looking forward to getting him back. He’s champing at the bit, too.”
Moser played well with Victor Hedman and was second on the team with a -13 plus/minus rating.
The Lightning are currently 31-20-4 and have 66 points, good for third place in the Atlantic Division. They trail second-place Toronto by two points and are five points behind the division-leading Florida Panthers.
The NHL trade deadline is March 7, and with the offense’s inconsistencies this season, the Lightning should be buyers and not sellers if they have their sights set on a deep playoff run.
In the past, the Lightning have been buyers at the trade deadline, acquiring the likes of Blake Coleman, Barclay Goodrow, Brandon Hagel, and Nick Paul.
The Lightning should be in the market for a bottom-six forward who can score consistently and add depth to the blue line. Three players potentially could be on their way to Tampa in early March.
Alex Tuch, the 28-year-old right winger for the Buffalo Sabres, could join the Lightning. Tuch has 19 goals and 24 assists on the season for 43 points. He is also fifth among forwards with 54 blocked shots. He is known for his hard shots and good defensive skills.
Another forward to watch is Kyle Palmieri of the New York Islanders. Palmieri has 16 goals and 21 assists for 37 points on the season. He is known for his hard shot, and with his speed, he can score quickly. The only drawback is that he is 34 years old and would likely be a rental for the season’s final months.
Julien BreisBois, the Lightning GM, must also address the blue line at the deadline, and one player to watch is San Jose Sharks defenseman Mario Ferraro. Ferraro is a physical defenseman who does not shy away from contact. His major weakness is that he is not much of an offensive threat, as he has just five goals and six assists on the season. Even with Moser’s return, the Lightning need another defenseman who can contribute on both ends of the ice, and Ferraro fits the bill.
These final 27 games will be critical for the Lightning. They still have 11 games left against division opponents, so there is still time for the Lightning to move up in the standings.