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Lightning grapples with trade-deadline hangover (w/ video)

 
Tampa Bay Lightning goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy (88) rests during a break in play during the second period of Wednesday?€š€™s (3/1/17) game between the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Carolina Hurricanes at Amalie Arena in Tampa.
Tampa Bay Lightning goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy (88) rests during a break in play during the second period of Wednesday?€š€™s (3/1/17) game between the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Carolina Hurricanes at Amalie Arena in Tampa.
Published March 3, 2017

PITTSBURGH — You would have thought the Lightning lost Wednesday by listening to players discuss the 4-3 overtime home win over Carolina.

Center Tyler Johnson said the team shouldn't be proud of its effort.

Defenseman Victor Hedman apologized to the fans.

Tampa Bay was outshot 18-4 in the first period against the last-place team in the Metropolitan Division that was playing without its top player and starting goalie.

"We were not focused or ready to play that game," coach Jon Cooper said.

The key question is why.

That's two straight games in which the Lightning was sluggish in the first period. Had it not been for goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy, Tampa Bay might be sitting on a two-game losing streak and have been three points out of the second wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference entering Thursday.

Was this a trade-deadline hangover or cause for concern heading into tonight's game at defending Stanley Cup champion Pittsburgh?

"It's probably a combination of a lot," Hedman said.

You could sense a lingering impact in the dressing room after the trade-deadline deals of veteran leaders Brian Boyle (Leafs), Ben Bishop (Kings) and Valtteri Filppula (Flyers). Though many players saw it coming, it was still a shock. Chemistry is a tricky thing. Players weren't just losing teammates, they were losing good friends.

"I'd be lying to say it didn't affect you," Hedman said.

And the effects were not just from the players who were traded. Plenty of others — including defensemen Jason Garrison and Braydon Coburn, Johnson and forward Ondrej Palat — had their names in social media trade rumors. For many, there was likely relief when the trade deadline hit at 3 p.m. Wednesday. A game had to be played four hours later.

"I'm sure it's a stressful situation, because you live here, you have a house here, you have a family here," Cooper said. "You might have kids here. It goes for all 30 teams in the league. Now you've got to pick up and move. I'm sure it's not a fun time for players. We're not the only team that probably had a little bit of a stressful day, but we're one of four that actually had to play that day. Probably made it a little tougher."

Cooper addressed the team before Monday's game against the Senators about the transition from trades, and general manager Steve Yzerman said he hoped to do the same. The moves were made with the big picture in mind, and players understood that. In a salary cap world, eventually teams break up.

"I think we were pretty fortunate and lucky that for three years our team generally stayed the same," Johnson said. "You can never really expect that to happen year over year. We all kind of knew what was going to happen. It's up to us to be professionals. You know it's part of the game. You still love those guys (who were traded), and they did everything for us. But for right now, these are the guys in the locker room and we're trying to make the playoffs with (them)."

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Cooper said many players will have larger roles after the deals. Vasilevskiy takes over the No. 1 gig from Bishop, and he has been impressive in his first two games in the role. Hedman and Johnson, among others, will likely have to have stronger voices in the room with Boyle and Bishop departing.

It might take a little time to make the transitions.

"Obviously, the whirlwind the past few days is over," Hedman said. "It's sad to see guys leave. We know it's part of the business. In a cap era, it's tough to keep the same team together long term. We've got to look forward and keep playing."

Joe Smith can be reached at joesmith@tampabay. Follow @TBTimes_JSmith.