It's Now Or Never For Bolts' Playoff Chances

The hole is deep, and the task in front of them is imposing.

For the Tampa Bay Lightning, now or never time is at hand.

With 30 games remaining and a six-game homestand starting tonight against the lowly Islanders, Tampa Bay players and coaches feel a sense of urgency.

"We can get back in this thing," said veteran right wing Mark Recchi, "and we know we have no choice but to put together a big run right here. We have to start this homestand off right. We know where we are in the standings and we know we can put ourselves back in the picture again."

While the back end of the homestand appears formidable, with games against Washington, Chicago and New Jersey, the next week brings the Islanders, Thrashers and Maple Leafs to Tampa.

Those are the three most porous defensive teams in the league and they rank 15th, 14th and 11th in the Eastern Conference standings, respectively.

Mike McKenna will be in goal against the Islanders, who dropped a 3-2 decision at Florida on Thursday to snap a four-game winning streak.

The Lightning come off a dispiriting 4-3 overtime loss at Pittsburgh as the Penguins rallied from a three-goal deficit in the third period.

"We just lost a tough game and we didn't play all that well on Long Island before that," said Tampa Bay center Vinny Prospal. "We played great for 40 minutes against the Penguins ... then we stopped skating and we lost a valuable point. But in the last month, we've played some good hockey. It's been up and down and we can't afford a losing streak. This six-game homestand is going to be huge."

With 45 points in 52 games, the Lightning are 13 points behind the Panthers for the eighth and final playoff spot in the East.

Realistically, Tampa Bay would likely have to accumulate another 45 points in the final 30 games just to challenge for a postseason berth.

"We're playing at home, with our fans at our side, and it's not like we're playing terrible," said center Vinny Lecavalier. "We're playing every game now like it's a playoff game."

Interim coach Rick Tocchet knows the situation is dire. Still, he vows to remain driven until the club is mathematically eliminated.

"I'm a realist," he said. "I want guys living on the edge right now. If you take a short-term approach, it playoffs can be a reality. If players don't believe it, you've got no chance."

Everyone in the locker room agrees Tampa Bay has no choice - a dramatic turnaround must begin immediately.

"One game at a time," said winger Marty St. Louis. "But if we sweep this thing, we give ourselves a chance."