Stamkos: Lightning's recent play has been 'alarming'

The NHL's top club is finally showing some signs of wavering.

The Tampa Bay Lightning dropped their fifth game in the last 10 on Monday, losing in spectacular fashion to the Edmonton Oilers in a contest that saw Connor McDavid go off for four goals and one assist in the 6-2 beating.

While the Lightning still sit perched atop the NHL standings, captain Steven Stamkos feels the club's recent play has not been up to snuff.

"It's alarming the way we're playing," Stamkos said, according to Joe Smith of the Tampa Bay Times. "It hasn't felt like we've played a solid game in a while."

And Stamkos is correct. Since Jan. 11 - a stretch of 10 games - Tampa Bay has struggled.

Fortunately for the Lightning, after enduring an eight-game road trip, they will now return home, where they are 17-5-1 this season, to play four of their next six contests.