Boy, things are looking tough in the crease for the Tampa Bay Lightning today against Washington, and it makes you wonder if we're on the verge of another 25-per-cent rule rant by head coach John Tortorella.

The Lightning have been the league's hottest team since the halfway point, but have now lost three in a row and have dropped back into the playoff race (and out of the Southeast Division lead, which appears to be Atlanta's to lose now).

It's quite a turtle derby we've got going in the Eastern Conference — whoever loses the least is going to slink in, likely only to be pounded by Buffalo or New Jersey.