Extended break gives Bolts a chance to recover and recharge

The Tampa Bay Lightning have been beset by a rash of injuries lately that threaten to hinder what has been a historic season to date.

Defensemen Anton Stralman and Dan Girardi have missed the last nine games with lower-body injuries. Stralman has practiced two-straight days and appears close to a return to the lineup. The prognosis for Girardi isn't as good, Bolts head coach Jon Cooper saying he's doubtful to play the final five regular season games but hopeful to have the veteran blueliner back for the postseason.
In Monday's come-from-behind 5-4 victory over the Boston Bruins, Ondrej Palat sustained an upper-body injury following a hit at the blue line from the Bruins Connor Clifton and missed the rest of the game as well as Tuesday's practice session.
Injuries haven't been much of an issue for the Lightning so far this season, but of late, they've started to pile up a bit.

That's why an extended break during the next-to-last week of the regular season probably couldn't come at a better time for the Lightning.
The scheduling gods saw fit to give Tampa Bay four days off between home games against Boston on Monday and the regular season home finale against the Washington Capitals Saturday. Tampa Bay practiced Tuesday morning but will take Wednesday and Thursday completely off before getting back to work Friday.
At 59 wins, the Lightning can set the NHL record for most wins in a season - currently 62 by the 1995-96 Detroit Red Wings - with victories in four of their last five contests.
"To have this little unique schedule where we get the four days, I think it's extremely healthy right now, not only we have some physical challenges of late, but we've had some mental challenges," Lightning assistant coach Derek Lalonde said. "We looked at the schedule, we were excited of this recent stretch knowing the amount of playoff teams we were going to play consecutively. So, I think the physical break is going to be nice but even more importantly the mental break is going to be nice here for a couple days."
Four of Tampa Bay's five remaining opponents are teams currently in a playoff position. All four are teams the Lightning could potentially play on a projected path to the Stanley Cup Final, including a road tilt at the Montreal Canadiens, who, right now, would be the Bolts' first round playoff opponent.
Getting a respite from this difficult stretch to conclude the regular season is another advantage of having a four-day break this late in the season.
"It's such a grind of a season playing so many games in so many nights," said Bolts center Anthony Cirelli, who scored the game-winning goal Monday against Boston and has goals in four of his last five games. "We know what's upcoming and what's ahead. I think anytime we can get some rest in in between games is good. I think it's at a pretty good time."

Yanni Gourde said it will be good to "refresh our minds" by getting away from the rink for a few days Gourde plans to play a little golf during the downtime. Cirelli said he'll enjoy the weather by spending some time by the pool.
"Do some stuff we don't normally get a chance to do," he said.
The Lightning know they have a long grind ahead of them.
They'll use the next couple of days off to mentally prepare for what they hope is a long playoff run.
And, hopefully, get healthy again.
"The All-Star break, the break the players have through their collective bargaining is great, but there's the downside of it. We seem to have a lot of games down the stretch, especially when you're trying to be the freshest and sharpest going in the playoffs, you hit some fatigue just the way the schedule plays out," Lalonde said. "I think this is a unique part of our schedule, and I think it's going to benefit us."