Until last night's 2-1 loss to the NHL-leading Boston Bruins, the Tampa Bay Lightning had given up at least three goals in their previous seven contests.
During a four-game losing skid from February 20-27, the Lightning allowed 21 combined goals.
Clearly, the Lightning haven't been as sharp defensively as they were when they went on 10-game and 11-game win streaks in the last three months. Over one seven-game stretch of that franchise-record 11-game win streak, the Bolts allowed only eight combined goals.
That's how the Lightning want to defend, particularly as they gear up for what they hope is a lengthy postseason run. That they've slipped of late is a bit of a concern with one month remaining before the start of the playoffs.
But fret not Tampa Bay fans.
Help is on the way.
McDonagh and Rutta back at Lightning practice
The Bolts have been without both defensemen for the last month

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Jon Cooper | Practice 03.04.20