Red Wings currently plotting on the downfall of Atlantic Division rival
Photo credit: NHL.com
When the Tampa Bay Lightning surrendered 2 goals in Amalie Arena to the Detroit Red Wings, it gave Todd McLellan and the team the perfect pretext to plan the downfall of their Atlantic Division rivals.
In rare form, Tampa Bay Lightning have started the season 1-4-2 in the Atlantic Division.
Something we'd never thought we'd see during the Jon Cooper era.
The team is now 8th in the Atlantic, and their lack of consistency has been a great subject of discussion, allowing for other teams to fill the void of a juggernaut in the division.
Along with the Red Wings, the Lightning have succumbed to the Chicago Blackhawks and the Columbus Blue Jackets, too.
The Detroit Red Wings Can Fill The Vacuum The Tampa Bay Lightning have left
For the Red Wings, this is the perfect time for the team to take advantage of their faltering play and aim for a spot in the playoffs.
And for the Lightning, an existential rival for the Red Wings, this could be the lowest point we've seen the franchise in recent years..
Only after two Stanley Cups did the Colorado Avalanche knock them off and block them from a third Cup.
And now, the decline of the once infamous franchise continues as they float to the bottom of the Atlantic.
The defensive discipline isn't there, as they allowed five goals in their first two games, and after a 4-3 win over the Bruins, they'd drop an additional four games. It's sad to say, but it appears the dominance of the Lightning is over.
This opens up the Atlantic for grabs, which realistically has been taken over by their brothers in Sunrise, the Florida Panthers.
But the Red Wingsare poised to take a leadership role in the Atlantic with a 5-3-0, and 2nd in the Atlantic.
The team has a realistic chance at the playoffs if they tighten up their game.
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