Stamkos ok and Hedman is even more normal

During practice today Stamkos flew into the boards after getting tangled up in Mike Smith's stick. Smith was trying to poke check the puck, and instead got his stick caught in Stamkos' stick. Stamkos is ok, he said it was "nothing serious".

Hedman's baseline tests came back today, even more normal than the test he took during training camp. Hedman, turning into a comedian joked "Maybe I need a couple more hits,". Tocchet expects to play him on Thursday against the Lightning.

Both Lecavalier and St. Louis missed practice today due to a "body maintenance" and "recovery day" today.

Drew Miller was put on waivers to send him down to the AHL, we should know by 12pm tomorrow if he clears.

Could Vinny be dropped from Team Canada?

Haven't heard much about it yet, but the thought has crossed my mind a few times. I know I'll be buying some Team Canada apparel for the Olympics in a few weeks and I would lean towards Lecavalier if it was player specific, but I do have a small fear that Lecavalier could be dropped from the team...It's not a big fear, but a small one (right now) and I think I would be heartbroken if he was.

This topic will come up more as Steve Yzerman will be at the Lightning/Leafs game tomorrow to scout out Lecavalier, St. Louis and Stamkos (as reported by the Globe and Mail, via St. Petersburg Times). Yzerman is expected to announce his roster sometime between Christmas and New Years.

I know Yzerman will choose players based suited to give the team the best chance of winning, it makes me wonder, and at what point would Lecavalier get dropped? How many more games of no goals will it take to have another player who is played well right now slide in to his place?

Mike Brophy first brought this up a couple of weeks ago questioning Lecavalier's slow start, and I just brushed it off thinking that in time, the goals would come (and well Brophy is not high on my list of opinions that I care about). And I know the goals will come, but since there are so few spots available and so much great talent, I hope that Lecavalier lights up the lamp in a hurry.

Lightning 1, Penguins 4 - Bolts LOSE

Ok, it's Sunday night and I am just getting around to my review of last night.

Despite what TSN says about a game tomorrow against the Rangers, there is no game until Thursday.








In fact, the Lightning never play the Rangers on a Monday. It seems they are confusing the Lightning with the San Jose Sharks, which is maybe what I should really start doing when I want to watch some decent hockey. The TSN writers also forgot that Wild has a D in it.

The Lightning were outplayed last night by the Pens. I only caught the 1st period but that was really enough for me. It was like they forgot to play hockey. No offense and just looked like they were trying to fight off each wave of offense from the Pens. It was crushing to watch.

While on the powerplay from a high stick from Drew Miller, Niitymaki over committed to a shot from Malkin, and with Ranger taking a walk somewhere instead of covering his guy, Guerin was able to easily stuff it in, 1-0. Later in the period, Gonchar lets a blast go from the point, which Niitymaki should have seen coming, 2-0 ending the 1st period.

Stamkos did score in the 2nd period from a rebound from St. Louis while on the powerplay. The Pens got goals from Dupuis and Rupp in the 2nd and 3rd period respectively.

GM Brian Lawton gave the team a verbal lashing after the game, which could be overhead by reporters, though the specifics were not released about what was said. It's pretty big when a GM talks to the team directly, though was this the best thing for Lawton to do? They did just lose to last years Stanley Cup Team. MAF hasn't lost a game yet this year. And is it Lawton's job to address the team directly or Tocchet's?

Today Cristodero is reporting that the lines are being switched up (again) with Tanguay being demoted down to the 3rd line with Halpern and Miller. The top line is Lecavalier, St. Louis and rookie James Wright, and the 2nd line is Malone, Stamkos and Steve Downie. The 4th line will remain the same with Fedoruk, Konopka and Veilleux.

Just for the record, the Lightning have not won a road game yet, and Vinny hasn't scored in 14 games.

Next game: Thursday in Tampa against the Sharks

Lightning 3, Panthers 2 - Bolts WIN!

Last game was the Malone show, tonight was the Niitymaki show.

The Panthers came on strong in the 1st period, and while the boys were able to kill off a 5 on 3 (while our two swedes sat in the box together), the Lightning gave up a short handed goal to Dvorak at 8:10. The Lightning answered back late in the 1st with a powerplay goal by Stamkos from St. Louis and Lecavalier.

In the 2nd period, the Lightning came out with more energy, though only Nathan Horton scored for the Panthers putting them up 2-1.

In the 3rd period, while on the powerplay, Vinny passes the puck up to St. Louis who is coming on the left side, but being boxed out by the Florida defenseman. The shot that St. Louis wrists in on Vokoun comes from the left circle with no screen, somehow goes in a Vokoun. Vokoun wanted that one back since he clearly should have had that, but that's as bad as I'm gonna feel for him. Then, Niitymaki starts making some timely saves on the Panthers. The Panthers are applying pressure like crazy, with Booth on a breakaway chance. Niitymaki makes the save, then passes the puck up to Stamkos, who takes a shot on Vokoun. Save by Vokoun on the 1st shot, but Malone gets in the rebound to edge the Lightning up 3-2.

Niitymaki made some timely saves, and sometimes multiple saves in a sequence. And when he didn't, the crossbar helped him out in the 3rd period.

Notes: Vinny hasn't scored yet this season, but he did get 2 assists tonight, bringing him up to 5 in the season so far.

Next game: Thursday Oct 15 in Ottawa

NHL Awards - Martin St. Louis

Like I said on my other blog, I didn't bother watching more than 5 minutes of this...but our boy St. Louis was there representing the Lightning...

















There's just something about men in suits...

WHC Update - Cinco de Mayo

Team Canada:
-Canada won over Norway on Sunday 5-1
-Stamkos scored his 6th goal of the tournament, making him the goal leader

"You know, coming in I was just trying to show everyone I can play at this level, compete at this level, and most importantly, I just want to help this team in any way I can," said Stamkos after the game. -from CTV

-Canada lost to Finland in a shootout yesterday (4-3) but still finished first in Group F
-Stamkos and St. Louis both scored in the shootout
-Canada's next game is against Latvia on Thursday in the Quarterfinals (game will be broadcast on TSN at 10:15am PT)

Finland:
-lost to Belarus on Saturday in a shootout 2-1
-as above, Finland won over Canada in the shootout (Rinne was in goal)
-Finland advances to play USA on Wednesday in the Quarterfinals

Latvia:
-was crushed by Russia 6-1
-will play Canada on Thursday in the quarterfinals

WHC Update

Photo from the Canadian Press. Stamkos celebrating the 2nd goal against the Czech Republic.

Team Canada:

-Canada played Slovakia on Tuesday and won 7-3, advancing in the tournament to the qualification round

-Canada played the Czech Republic on Thursday, winning 5-1. Stamkos had 2 goals and St. Louis had 1.

-Next game for Canada is against Norway on Sunday (will be on TSN if you live in Canada at 10:15)

-They will also have a game against Finland on Monday May 4th to finish up the round before the quarterfinals

-Stamkos has 5 goals so far in the tourney, tying Niko Kapanen for the tournament lead-

-St. Louis leads the tournament in points with 11 (4 goals/7assists)

Finland:

-Ramo started the game against Denmark where they wont 5-1. They have then played the Czech Republic, winning 4-3 to finish up the preliminaries. In the Qualification, Finald played Slovaki and won 2-1 in OT.

-Finland's next game is against Belarus later today, followed by playing Canada on Monday

Latvia:

-Lost to the USA, 4-2. Won against Sweden 3-2 in a shootout. Won against Austria 2-0.

-In the qualification, they won against Switzerland 2-1 in OT and won against France 7-1

-Next game: Russia on Sunday

IIHF WHC

I'm currently watching the Canada v. Hungary game on tape delay because of this mornings Rangers/Caps game. I hesitate to check the score to see how bad of a blowout this game will end up. I don't particularly enjoy to watch preliminary games or preseason games, but Hungary hasn't been in on the world stage since 1939 and since I have relatives from Hungary, I'm gonna watch this beating Hungary will take.

The first game against Belarus, our boy Stamkos got 2 goals and was named player of the game. St. Louis played with Stamkos and got an assist.

In the Canada/Hungary game, the final score ended up being 9-0, Martin St. Louis got a hat trick in and an assist. Nice to see the enthusiasm of the Hungarian fans at the game, non-stop cheering and singing.

For Finland, Karri Ramo's team got a win, 5-0 over Norway on Saturday in Group B. Ramo isn't the starting goalie, but is instead backing up Pekka Rinne.

Martins Karsums playing for Latvia, lost to the USA 4-2.

Gasp! The Lightning WIN in OT!

Lightning 2, CBJ 1 - Bolts WIN!!!

Did I just write that? Did the Tampa Bay Lightning win in OT tonight? That's right. A win in OT.

What happened during the 1st and 2nd period? NOTHING

The Lightning get 7 shots on goal in 2 periods. Awful. But let's focus on the positive tonight. The 1st and 2nd was a waste of time. Rick Nash was a disappointment.

Jan Hejda starts the 3rd period with a goal for CBJ. If CBJ get 2 points tonight they would be getting that much closer to clinching a playoff berth. Malone says "not so fast" and answers back with a PP goal.

This game moves to OT. I have almost written off the team at this point. My worst fear is that they will end up in a shootout. But no! Martin St. Louis comes back with a huge individual effort and wrists a shot past Mason!!!! Booyeah.

McKenna plays a great game and stops 33 out of 34 shots.

So let's forget about the boring 1st and 2nd. Let's just celebrate the fact we won in OT. At this point in the season, I will celebrate the little things.

Lightning 2 v. Senators 3 - Bolts Lose

Working while the game is on sucks. So no recap on the first period. It's a 1 - 1 tie anyways, so I don't care. Murphy and Shannon score, both on the powerplay according to the box score.

Second period starts with Ottawa on a power play. Petiot is out of the box. Petiot? Playing? I'm shocked. Nothing happens on the pp.

Fisher gets a nice rush, but Ramo makes an even better glove save. Stamkos and St. Louis fly down to the other end, Stamkos gets a shot but no goal.

TSN has stopped talking about hockey and instead is focusing on Carrie Underwood and Hillary Duff. No ducking today for the camera's? I can't believe those two date Ottawa Senators.

Schubert takes a stupid tripping penalty on Stamkos. We're one for one on the penalty. Alfredson get the puck and tried to get a shorthanded goal. Lecavalier takes the fake and dives to block the shot, Alfedson passes to Kelly, goal.

Adam Hall answers back 10 seconds later. Just like that it's a tie game. Take that Ottawa.

TSN is now showing a clip of Lecavalier in a race car. We're back on the PP. A lot of passing, Lecavalier has a chance, but no goal. Nothing much happens for the rest of the period.

End of Second

TSN shows some clip of some possible eye gouging from Arty on Ruutu. Ruutu never got the call on the ice because, well he's Ruutu (at least he's better than Matt Cooke). They'll definately review this one, possible suspension coming. Ruutu will be back for the third, so it should get interesting.

Third Period
Tampa gets a power play. 2 seconds later Malone takes us off of the power play. Weak.

Stamkos has a great shot on goal, Elliot gets a piece of it. The lightning go back on the powerplay. It sounds like Pierre Mcguire is a 13 year old girl the way he is gushing about Lecavalier.Thank god I don't have to hear him comment on more than 2 games a week. I can only take so much He's a MONSTER!

Spezza is celebrating like he got a goal. Was there a kicking motion? Review. C'mon Toronto!

NO GOAL!

Pressure in the Lightning zone, Ramo kicks out the puck on a huge chance by the Senators. St. Louis gets the puck with 3 seconds left, and shoots high! After the period ends you can see him shaking his head knowing he could have ended it there.

Overtime

Great 3 on 1 chance by St. Louis and Lecavalier, St. Louis can't find the net.

Some garbage goal by Mike Fisher ends the game. Then we get camera angle of Carrie Underwood hugging some girl. The box looks like its filled with girls who don't understand what icing is. Apparently this is her birthday present, a garbage goal from Fisher.

I would have preferred that if we were going to lose, to get no goals. Good effort from the team though. It's nice to see them play like this game actually meant something.

1 Day, 7 Hours to Trade Deadline

So before all of the craziness begins of trade deadline day... A little look at the 19 games ahead...

The bolts have almost finished their last game against the Western Conference, they just have St. Louis left on Friday.

I'm looking forward to the game against the Pens tomorrow night. The last time they met the game was nuts. This is the first game this year that the Lightning host the Pens in Tampa. This game means a lot to the Pens, they are currently in the 8th playoff spot ahead of Buffalo and Carolina by only one point. I think we should also see Crosby back in the lineup.

The last time these two teams met, the Lightning blew a 3 goal lead going into the 3rd period, and yes I know blowing a lead is nothing new this season, but the game ended up in overtime with Malkin ending it. That was a hard loss to take because they played so well in the 1st and 2nd. This should be a good rematch.

Thoughts on the Trade Deadline:
There are 3 guys that I just don't see making it through to the Blues game
1. Gary Roberts
Being a UFA at the end of the season, he could be worth a draft pick or young player for his services. I'm not hoping for more since he is 42, but Calgary is rumored to have some interest with his return to the Flames.
2. Mark Recchi
Another in the over 40 club, also another UFA after the season. Whether teams will want him given his age is questionable, so maybe a pick?

The other two names being thrown about on Puck Daddy is Halpern and St. Louis. I can't see the Lightning trading away St. Louis mostly because he's signed through 2011/1 and cheap. His locker room presence and no trade clause also helps his case. The other one is Halpern, and for him it will depend on the offer because again, he's cheap.

I'm hoping for picks and young players for the team. As demonstrated by watching our team crumble after the circus during the summer, and seeing a young Kings team still be in the playoff race in the West, I think we have to give up the old guys if there's a trade available.

Should be a good game tomorrow. Go Bolts Go!