Winning the Atlantic Division may not matter all that much to the Tampa Bay Lightning. But after fumbling a lead in the third period Thursday in Dallas - and dropping four points back of the Florida Panthers - the Bolts couldn't hide their prevailing distress.

"We're playing like a fragile team that's scared to lose and not hungry to close out a game," Steven Stamkos said, according Joe Smith of the Tampa Bay Times. "We can't let that fear of losing creep in at this time of year."

Lightning coach Jon Cooper relayed a similar sentiment.

"Got to start winning or we won't play much longer."

Less than two weeks ago, Tampa Bay surged to top ranking in the division after a ninth consecutive win.

The team has one win and three points in six games since.

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