NHL Playoffs: 6 Reasons the Tampa Bay Lightning's Game 1 Loss is No Reason To Pa

The Tampa Bay Lightning's loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins Wednesday wasn't as embarrassing as the 3-0 score suggested. The Penguins scored two goals in 18 seconds halfway through the third period and the game was all but over.

Marc-Andre Fleury was spectacular in goal and stopped all of the Lightning's 32 shots. There were signs of life from the Lightning through the first two periods, but the Penguins took control in the third off of goals from Alexei Kovalev, Arron Asham and an empty netter by Chris Kunitz.

The Defense Won't Give Up 40 Shots a Game

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PITTSBURGH, PA - APRIL 13: Pascal Dupuis #9 of the Pittsburgh Penguins battles in the corner against Mattias Ohlund #5 of the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game One of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Consol Energ

While Tampa Bay's defense is suspect, the system that head coach Guy Boucher instilled has cut down on the amount of shots against. I can't ever remember a time where the Lightning only gave up 20 shots in a relatively consistent fashion. Even in 2004 when Tampa hoisted Lord Stanley's Cup, they gave up a good number of shots per game and the defense wasn't great. The defense will play better and they will block more shots.

The Third and Fourth Lines Played Well

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UNIONDALE, NY - DECEMBER 22: Ryan Malone #6 of the Tampa Bay Lightning skates against the New York Islanders at the Nassau Coliseum on December 22, 2010 in Uniondale, New York. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

The third and fourth lines aren't the focus of the offense. Usually the bottom two lines are energy lines that contribute goals here and there. They will still be needed, but considering that they did give some energy to the team, it is tough to complain about their play. Guys like Ryan Malone, Teddy Purcell and Nate Thompson are three of the lower line guys to watch in the coming games.

Martin St. Louis and Vinny Lecavalier Will Score

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ANAHEIM, CA - JANUARY 09: Martin St. Louis #26 and Vincent Lecavalier #4 of the Tampa Bay Lightning celebrate St. Louis' short handed goal at 3:28 of the first period against the Anaheim Ducks on January 9, 2009 at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California.

With the mass of playoff experience both of these players have, it is only a matter of time before they get hot and start carrying the team like they have for so long. Martin St. Louis and Vincent Lecavalier will have better production, even though they are paired up against the Pittsburgh Penguins top line. Lecavalier had four shots and St. Louis had two, not to mention the fact that St. Louis got hit in the face with a stick early in the game.

Penalty Disparities

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PITTSBURGH, PA - APRIL 13: Martin St. Louis #26 of the Tampa Bay Lightning handles the puck against the Pittsburgh Penguins in Game One of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Consol Energy Center on April 13,

The Pittsburgh Penguins had six power play opportunities to Tampa Bay's one. Both of the Lightning's special teams squads are ranked in the top 10. Special teams is one of the main focuses of Guy Boucher and both sides have been solid all year long. That will have to continue on the penalty kill. There will be more penalties and more chances for the Lightning in the series.

Dwayne Roloson Played Great

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PITTSBURGH, PA - APRIL 13: Dwayne Roloson #35 of the Tampa Bay Lightning makes a save against the Pittsburgh Penguins in Game One of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Consol Energy Center on April 13, 2011 in

It is tough to criticise Roloson except for one play. The second Penguins goal was slightly his fault because he followed the puck instead of staying in his crease. This allowed for the wrap around goal that all but sealed the game. Other than that he was just as good as Marc-Andre Fleury. He stopped 37 of the 39 shots he faced while proving his save percentage isn't just a useless stat.

It Was Steven Stamkos' Playoff Debut

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NEWARK, NJ - MARCH 02: Steven Stamkos #91 of the Tampa Bay Lightning skates during an NHL hockey game against the New Jersey Devils at the Prudential Center on March 2, 2011 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Paul Bereswill/Getty Images)

For the leading goal scorer in the NHL, scoring goals has been tough as of late. He only had one shot in Game 1 and had two blocked. Now that his playoff debut is out of the way he can focus on playing well and living up to his name. Not many players have great games their first time out there. Playoff hockey is a different breed of the game and now that he has seen it, he can be the great player that he is. It's Stammer Time.