Lightning clinch home ice in 1st round, 2nd spot in Atlantic

The Tampa Bay Lightning might be injury-riddled, but they'll at least have one edge early in the postseason.

The Lightning clinched second place in the Atlantic Division with a victory over the New Jersey Devils on Thursday night, ensuring home-ice advantage in the first round of the playoffs.

They'll play the opening series without Steven Stamkos, while Victor Hedman and Ryan Callahan are still sidelined with their respective injuries.

Tampa Bay improved to 46-30-5 with 97 points, four behind the first-place Florida Panthers and four ahead of the Detroit Red Wings.

The Lightning travel to Montreal for their regular-season finale Saturday against the Canadiens.

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