After Lightning loss to Sabres, Bruins creep closer to top Atlantic spot

The Lightning remain atop the Atlantic Division, but Boston's closed the gap.

After Tampa Bay's loss to Buffalo and Boston's win over Calgary, the Bruins now trail the Lightning by only a point, but are actually ahead by winning percentage.

(Image courtesy: NHL.com)

The Lightning remain in first thanks to their 79 points through 57 games, while the Bruins are only one point back with two games in hand.

Both teams have played 32 games since Dec. 1, and since then, the Bruins hold a distinct advantage:

• Boston: 24-4-4, 52 points
• Tampa Bay: 21-10-1, 43 points

Keep in mind that under the NHL's playoff format, the division winner gets a wild-card team in the first round, while the second-place team draws the third-place team. At present, Toronto ranks third in the Eastern Conference with 73 points, meaning there's a big advantage to claiming the Atlantic crown.

The way things are going lately, the Bruins may very well rise to the top in points sooner rather than later. The Lightning, however, should never be counted out.