NHL record for wins still in play for Lightning

The Tampa Bay Lightning need one more win over their final five regular season games to reach the 60-win mark, a total that's only been achieved twice in NHL history.
The Lightning can finish with the most wins all-time in the League too. They'll need three victories to tie the 1995-96 Detroit Red Wings' 62-win season. Four wins and the Bolts will own the record outright.
But that's not what the Lightning are focused on as the final week of the regular season commences.

Their mantra remains the same as it did from Opening Night: keep improving, win and move on.
It's a philosophy that's allowed them to post historic numbers this season in the NHL.

"Not a lot of teams have done it," Lightning captain Steven Stamkos said about winning 60 games. "I don't think if you asked anyone truthfully, they'd say, 'Yeah, it means a lot.' We're in a position where we can make some more history, so we just kind of take it in stride this year. If it happens, it happens, great. It's another story to write and something to talk about. But it really hasn't truly been the focus at all in this room. If it happens, it happens, then that's great and it means we're playing well and we're continuing to try to play well."
The Lightning can get to win No. 60 on Saturday when they host the defending Stanley Cup champion Washington Capitals at AMALIE Arena, the Bolts final game of the regular season at home. Tampa Bay has already defeated Washington twice this season and is looking to sweep the Capitals in the regular season for the first time in franchise history.
"I guess it's one of those things…you get this close, you might as well try and go get it," Lightning head coach Jon Cooper said about the importance of winning 60 games. "But it's been what this team's done all year long. They kind of get pushed up against a wall, and they've found a way to get out of it. You don't want to make a habit of going down 4-2 to the Boston Bruins in the third period, but it was the mere fact that what they showed to get out of that, it's growth. To be at this point of the year, in the standings where we are and the guys are still chipping away to win hockey games says a lot about I believe their focus and what they've got going on. I know what's happening now doesn't predict future success or anything like that, but I sure like the way their mindset is and the way they're competing."
In their last contest, a battle of No. 1 versus No. 2 in the NHL overall standings, the Lightning rallied from a 4-2 deficit to the Bruins entering the third period on Monday, scoring three unanswered goals in a dramatic come-from-behind win. Victor Hedman and Nikita Kucherov each scored goals to level the score late, and Anthony Cirelli tallied the game-winner with :53 seconds remaining to provide the Lightning with their second victory in three meetings this season against Boston.
With four days off between games, the Lightning practiced Tuesday before taking two days completely off to rest, refresh and recharge for the final five regular season games and a lengthy playoff run.
"Not often do you get a couple days in between games, especially at this time of the year," Stamkos said. "I think it's going to be a good thing for us. We're excited to come back and play tomorrow and then go on our last road trip of the regular season. Hopefully it'll be good for the guys mentally, physically and should be a little fresh tomorrow."
The Bolts returned to the ice Friday to practice and prepare for Saturday's home finale against the Caps. Tampa Bay has won four in a row and 12 of its last 13 at AMALIE Arena and can set another franchise record, this one for home wins in a season, with a victory over the Caps.
"Mentally, you're so up and down when you're playing every other day and going through the grind of a long season, it's a fortunate break to kind of step back, reflect on everything you've done thus far and ramping up for five more games here until the playoffs start," Lightning defenseman Ryan McDonagh said of the four-day break between games. "It's a great opportunity for us to fine tune our game and against some big-time opponents too."

Of the Lightning's five remaining games, four come against teams currently in a playoff spot, teams the Bolts could potentially see over the course of a long playoff run. Those tests versus teams fighting to remain in the playoffs or jockeying for playoff positioning should help the Lightning continue to get their game playoff ready.
"Just need to continue gaining confidence, gaining confidence by hopefully winning games but gaining confidence within our system and structure and making sure that there's no questions about where we're supposed to be in certain situations, what's expected of us individually and we've done it consistently pretty much all year," McDonagh said. "But still five games to keep a special season going here."
As far as any records or milestones, if those happen, the Lightning will take those too.
But it's not at the forefront of their thoughts.
Getting better for the postseason remains their primary objective.
"I don't think anybody in the room is really thinking about that," Cooper said. "They're just thinking about the next game, and I think that's why we've had such a successful year because that's all they've thought about is the next game."