NHL Power Rankings 2015-16: Stanley Cup Finalists Blackhawks, Lightning Surging

Don’t look now, but the defending Eastern Conference champions are heating up.

The Tampa Bay Lightning have won three straight games and six of their last 10 to leapfrog the Boston Bruins and take the first wild card playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

Second-line center Tyler Johnson has battled injuries this season, but he’s back in the lineup and scored his first goal since Nov. 25 during Tuesday night’s win over the Colorado Avalanche. Steven Stamkos scored twice and Ondrej Palat scored another, while No. 1 goalie Ben Bishop made 21 saves for a 4-0 shutout.

Bishop has carried Tampa Bay for most of the campaign, but the team’s rece…

Leave a Reply