Can the Tampa Bay Lightning be the first team since the 95-96 Red Wings to win 60 games?

[Iggys Dome]

After tonight they'll have 45 wins with 22 games left, so they'll have to go .681 to hit 60. They're currently at a .750 win rate, I think it's very possible even if they start resting players near the end of the season. Jon Cooper has done an amazing job, and that roster is stacked with superstar talent from offence to goaltending. What do you guys think will happen?

Edit: Also I wanted to say I'm really f***ing jealous they have Brayden Point. f*** me their drafting has been ridiculous.

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[Rschmitz]

Doesn't matter since they haven't won a cup yet

 

[DFC]

It sucks that they keep winning so much. Just makes it worse that they can't win a cup. I wish they'd do their fanbase a favor and lose more.

 

[Iggys Dome]

Doesn't matter since they haven't won a cup yet

If they don't win this year I wouldn't even know what to say.

 

[Iggys Dome]

It sucks that they keep winning so much. Just makes it worse that they can't win a cup. I wish they'd do their fanbase a favor and lose more.

First place NHL team problems

 

[izzy]

how is anyone gonna compete against them in the ploffs anyway

 

[Firsov99]

It's doable if Hedman's injury doesn't turn out to be too serious.

But I am sure that Tampa won't be chasing this benchmark.

 

[Hockey4Life91]

Imagine if Melnyk didn’t nix the Karlsson trade to Tampa.

 

[MSZ]

If they don't win this year I wouldn't even know what to say.

Well that 96 Wings team didn't win the cup.

If we include lockout shortened seasons, the 2013 Blackhawks actually had higher winning percentage than the 96 Wings.

 

[Realgud]

how is anyone gonna compete against them in the ploffs anyway

Ploff hockey is a different beast than the relar season.

 

[TheBluePenguin]

Everyone one in the West is hoping they get beat up in the playoffs before/if they make it to the finals... A tired and injured Tampa would make things more even

 

[Zephyrr]

I wouldn't be surprised at all.

 

[c9777666]

Whoever is the 2nd Wild Card..... bet the house on them

 

[LightningStrikes]

Man, wouldn't it be awesome if they did? Last time it happened was over 20 years ago. As a fan, not just a Lightning fan but a hockey fan in general.

 

[TheAngryHank]

There were ties in 1996.

 

[Hint1k]

I think no.

Kucherov and Vasilevsky are hot now. Which is probably the main reason why Tampa suddenly went from 5 wins/5 losses pace to the 6 wins in a row. When their hot-streak ends, Bolts will return to the 50% winning or may be even less %.

I suspect there is an internal target. Something like "take the 1st place in the East to ensure the home-ice advantage". But considering the 16 point difference between Tampa and the 2nd team, even this target does not require to win that many games.

So practically speaking there is a zero chance to set any win record this year.

 

[82Ninety42011]

62 wins for the Red Wings in 95-96 Bolts could hit 60 for sure. I think even resting players they will have a shot. Record for points in season is 132 by 76-77 Canadians in 80 games with only 8 losses and 12 ties don't think that record gets broken ever.

 

[sepster]

Even if they end up not hitting it, their season is still impressive. I never thought a team would be able to come close to the record with the way the league is set up now.

Hopefully, they rest some players, fall on their face, miss the record and Stevie takes another shot a building a contender back in Detroit.

 

[Tomas W]

Tampa really deserves the cup this year.

 

[njdevil26]

15 wins and a combination of no more than 7 L/OTL... It's definitely do-able for this team.

 

[JoVel]

Tampa really deserves the cup this year.

We don't deserve it unless we win it.

 

[Shakey Rustie]

There were ties in 1996.

And the puck would glow on broadcasts!

 

[bobbyking]

how is anyone gonna compete against them in the ploffs anyway

If Crosby malkin and Matt Murray hit playoff mode then they can compete

 

[God King Fudge]

I don't think they will. I think once March hits you're gonna see them dial it back a bit and maybe even start to add guys like Stamkos, McDonagh, Hedman, Kuch and Point into the rest rotation to be as fresh as possible for the playoffs.

 

[God King Fudge]

It's doable if Hedman's injury doesn't turn out to be too serious.

But I am sure that Tampa won't be chasing this benchmark.

Coop said last night he didn't think it was serious.

Avoiding injuries and going into the playoffs healthy should be the only thing Tampa chases. I don't think Kuch cares about the point totals and I don't think the team cares about win totals.