Kitty litter

Florida's mastery over Tampa Bay has simply hammered the Lightning down the stretch. Tonight's 7-2 smoking by the Panthers, the third since March 3rd, kept the Bolts from winning their third division championship in four seasons.

Atlanta, the Lightning's likely playoff opponent, takes the Southeast.

Though I'd like to see the Sabres in the first round, I wouldn't mind if the Lightning first had to beat the Thrashers. It would give me a couple trips to snag a few more pucks.

We'll see what happens, won't we?