The Tampa Bay Lightning have won seven of their past eight games after a 1-4-2 start to the season. Former defenseman Braydon Coburn, now a TV analyst, discussed the team's turnaround on the 'NHL @TheRink' podcast. The Lightning host the New York Rangers on Wednesday.
The Tampa Bay Lightning (8-5-2) have turned their season around with a 7-1-0 stretch in their last eight games, following a sluggish 1-4-2 beginning. Braydon Coburn, who played 350 games for Tampa Bay from 2015-20 and now serves as a TV analyst, shared his insights on this week's 'NHL @TheRink' podcast with hosts Dan Rosen and Shawn P. Roarke.
"This team had way too much talent, experience, pedigree to have the start they had," Coburn said. He noted that veteran teams sometimes need time to gel, especially with new pieces in the lineup under coach Jon Cooper. "The hockey they've been playing the last 10 games has been fantastic," he added.
Coburn highlighted forward Brayden Point's slow start, with just three goals in 15 games, including one in the past 11. Point averaged 46.3 goals per season over the previous three years. The power play has also struggled, dropping from nearly 26 percent last year to 18 percent this season. Nikita Kucherov has only five power-play points, compared to 99 over the last two seasons.
"Is it a point where we're worried about Brayden Point and are we worried about the power play? To a certain extent, but I also understand the skill and the world-class ability of these guys to figure out the problem," Coburn said. He pointed out the team's 10 one-goal games this season, suggesting improved power-play production could make a big difference.
The Lightning face the New York Rangers at Benchmark International Arena in Tampa on Wednesday at 7 p.m. ET (HBO MAX, TNT, TVAS). Coburn also praised New York Islanders rookie defenseman Matthew Schaefer's speed and recoveries, comparing him to Lightning star Victor Hedman.