After a 3-0 shutout loss to the shorthanded Montreal Canadiens on Thursday night, Tampa Bay Lightning captain Steven Stamkos directed aim at teammates who've perhaps had complacency creep into their games.
"We had too many passengers tonight. It's unacceptable," he said, reports Joe Smith of the Tampa Bay Times.
"There's no excuses here," he added. "It's look yourself-in-the-mirror time. If you're not giving the effort, you're letting your teammates down."
Tampa coasted after falling behind 2-0 early in the second period, mustering just 12 shots over the next 39-plus minutes.
With the loss, the Lightning, who've traded points throughout March, fell two points back of the Florida Panthers for first place in the Atlantic Division. The Lightning have just one home date remaining before finishing the season with a four-game road trip.
