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Though he isn't likely to make the scoresheet, Ian Cole's pairing with right-shot defenseman Erik Cernak will be critical for the Lightning this postseason.
The defenseman has helped teams in the postseason throughout his 13-season career because he’s “willing to do a lot of the hard lifting.”
Tampa Bay, which has allowed just three goals over its past three games, can clinch a postseason spot outright with a win Saturday.
Tampa Bay’s victory over the Hurricanes on Tuesday night is certainly encouraging as the postseason nears.
Andrei Vasilevskiy records 31 saves and Tampa Bay scores some greasy goals and locks down late.

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  1. Though he isn't likely to make the scoresheet, Ian Cole's pairing with right-shot defenseman Erik Cernak will be critical for the Lightning this postseason.
  2. Lightning center Steven Stamkos (91) celebrates with his teammates after his buzzer-beating goal near the end of the first period Thursday at Amalie Arena.
  3. Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy blocks the shot of the Hurricanes' Jesper Fast during the third period Tuesday night.
  4. Lightning captain Steven Stamkos (91) celebrates his goal against the Hurricanes with Mikhail Sergachev (98) and Victor Hedman (77) during the second period of Tuesday night's game in Raleigh, North Carolina. The Lightning won, 4-0.
  5. The Hurricanes' Shayne Gostisbehere (41) passes the puck around the Lightning's Steven Stamkos (91) during Carolina's 6-0 victory earlier this month in Raleigh, North Carolina.
  6. Manon Rheaume, who became the first woman to play in an NHL game when she played in an exhibition game in 1992, signs autographs before the Lightning's Hall of Fame Alumni weekend game against the Montreal Canadiens earlier this month at Amalie Arena.
  7. The Bruins' Garnet Hathaway (21), Lightning's Pat Maroon, top right, Bruins' Jakub Lauko, center right, and Lightnings' Ross Colton, center left, fight during the first period Saturday in Boston.
  8. The Lightning's Pat Maroon and Bruins' Garnet Hathaway fight during the first period of Saturday's game in Boston.
  9. The puck bounces off the lposts behind Lightning goaltender Brian Elliott (1) and Ottawa Senators right wing Drake Batherson (19) during the second period of Thursday's game in Ottawa.
  10. Susan Danielik, the Tampa Bay Lightning's director of training and experience, receives assistance from ThunderBug during a learn-to-skate session at Amalie Arena on Feb. 22. Skating classes are one of the many perks available to employees of the Tampa Bay Lightning, one of the Tampa Bay Times' Top Workplaces of 2022.
  11. Ottawa Senators right wing Claude Giroux (28) gets his stick in front of Lightning center Brayden Point (21) to take the puck from him during the first period of Thursday's game in Ottawa.
  12. The Canadiens' Jonathan Drouin scores against Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy during the first period Tuesday night's game in Montreal.
  13. Lightning defenseman Victor Hedman (77) keeps the puck from New Jersey Devils center Jesper Boqvist (70) during the first period of Sunday's game at Amalie Arena.
  14. Devils left wing Jesper Bratt, (63, right) celebrates with teammates, including defenseman Dougie Hamilton (7) and defenseman Jonas Siegenthaler (71), after scoring past Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy (88) during the second period Sunday.
  15. Tampa Bay Lightning left wing Brandon Hagel (38) races for the puck with Montreal Canadiens defenseman David Savard (58) close by in the third period on Saturday, March 18, 2023 in Tampa.
  16. Lightning captain Steven Stamkos expects the reception Ondrej Palat, now with the Devils, will receive Sunday in his first game in Tampa as an opposing player to be "near the top of all the ones we've had."
  17. Phil Esposito speaks on stage during the Lightning's first Hall of Fame ceremony, held Friday night at Amalie Arena.
  18. Lightning center Steven Stamkos (91) celebrates his goal against the Devils during the second period Thursday night. He scored again in the third.
  19. Lightning captain Steven Stamkos feels more comfortable, and productive, when he's playing center.
  20. Lightning left wing Brandon Hagel (38) congratulates Anthony Cirelli on his goal against the Devils during the first period on Tuesday night.
  21. The company that owns the Bally Sports networks has filed for bankruptcy as expected, but indicated in a news release the broadcast of games won't be disrupted.
  22. Lightning center Steven Stamkos moves the puck against the Jets on Sunday in Tampa.
  23. Lightning center Anthony Cirelli (71) tries to gain control of the puck while Jets center Mark Scheifele (55) puts pressure on him during the first period of Sunday's game in Tampa.
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