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

Game 5: Panthers in Tampa Preview

Sorry for no preview or recap for the Malone show of Game 4. It is the Canadian Thanksgiving here, so although I planned to write something, things didn't happen according to plan.

Enemy blog: Litter Box Cats

Quick bullet points before tonight's game:

• The Panthers have dropped three straight and the Lightning are looking to make it two straight wins at home. The Panthers have been struggling with their PK so far this season, and their powerplay is even worse, currently being ranked dead last in the NHL at efficiency of 6.2%.
• The Lightning on the other had a strong game against Carolina with 39 shots on goal. Niittymaki's solid performance in Saturday night's game has him getting the nod from Tocchet to start again tonight.
• Mike Smith says he was "healthy" and could have started on Saturday. Though I think the Lightning wanted to give Smith a little extra time to recover and be evaluated after being run over in the NJ game.

Game time: 7:30pm ET

Game 3: NJ in Tampa Preview

Tonight is the season opener for the Lightning. We're hosting the also struggling New Jersey Devils.

Enemy blog: Running with the Devils

The Devils are off to their worst start in 8 years, losing 2 games in a row. They have a new coach, who, is just more defensive than the last one. But they have also beaten us the last 8 times we've met.

Tonight Mike Smith will need to have a strong game against the Devils. The top line of "Lecavalier-Tanguay-instert name here" will need to start producing, because 2 points (assists) in 2 games for Lecavalier and Tanguay is terrible.

Line up stuff?

• Stephane Veilleux will be back up at Vinny's winger, with the experiment of Steven Downie moving down to the 4th line. The search for a right wing for Lecavalier and Tanguay still goes on, and with only 2 assists for the line so far, I hope that they find a good fit soon
• Kurtis Foster is practicing, but it isn't likely that he'll play, though he might be in the lineup by Saturday.
• Mike Smith will get the start again in goal tonight.

Game time: 7:30pm ET. Updates to follow as they happen.

Lightning send Smaby to AHL for conditioning

Since Smaby hasn't played yet, and it doesn't look like he will soon, he's been sent to Norfolk for a conditioning assignment. Cristodero explains it well about why this is being done. Conditioning assignments can last no more than 14 days, and Smaby will still remain on the Lightning's 23 man roster. This will be good for him just to get some playing time in instead of sitting around in the press box.

Lightning 1, Hurricanes 1 - Bolts LOSE

Today's recap is brought to you by NHL GameCenter.

This screen shot is similar to what I saw when I got home today from work to catch the game, but sub in "No feed available" instead of the score in the middle of the page.













$&%#@%$ GameCenter! The NHL themselves tell me there is "no feed available", just shows you how much they care about these markets. Aparently there was no feed available locally for fans either. Thus, no detailed recap.

Here's what you get: Jokinen scored for Carolina in the 1st. Malone scored in the 2nd. Overtime solved nothing. Lightning lost in the shootout. We walked away with our first point in the season.

Next games is our season opener in Tampa against the Devils.

Game 2: Tampa in Carolina Preview

So last game didn't go as well as I had hoped. Actually it was pretty terrible. We outshot the Thrashers 39-28, but lost 6-3.

That's ok, the season's still fresh, game #2 tonight.

Enemy blog: The Life and Times of a Caniac

The Hurricanes have lost the two games they have played so far, to the Flyers and the Bruins respectively. They also lost Eric Cole four to six weeks to a fracture in his lower left leg from a collision in the Bruins game with Wideman. They have also re-signed Cam Ward to a 6 year extension, who with a large contract, like Luongo, are doing a good job at playing themselves off of Team Canada.

With Eric Cole out, Tuomo Ruutu has been skating in his spot to be Eric Staal's winger. Ruutu was Staal's winger last year, so this won't be that much of an adjustment. Tim Conboy will come up to play in Ruutu's spot.

The Lightning need to improve on the number of goals let in per game and for that Mike Smith really has to show up ready to play tonight.

Game time 7pm ET.

Game 1: Tampa in Atlanta Preview

Enemy Blog: Wazzupwitchu

It's been like 2 years since we've had a meaningful game. We could have one tonight, but my pessimistic side from last year is starting to kick in telling me not to get too excited. Maybe after 5 games I'll get excited.

Tonight is Hedman's debut in his first NHL regular season game.

Tonight could be the first win of the season.

Tonight Tocchet will actually have a veteran defenseman in Ohlund to play for him. And a winger, named Tanguay who doesn't rob you of your money.

Mike Smith, Andrej Meszaros and Paul Ranger are all back from injury. Questions about Mike Smith's recovery from his injury will be addressed over the new few games. And questions about the quickness that Vinny has been talking about remains to be answered.

Expectations are lower and I think that's better for the Lightning. I really have no expectations of the team this year. It would be nice if they could be a little better so I don't get made fun of supporting such a crappy team this year.

So the boys are in Atlanta to face Pavel Kubina, and Nik Antropov of the Leafs, wait, you say they are called the Thrashers now? Whatever, same team, just less offensive fans. This new team of ex-Leafs should be just as bad as last years Leafs. Their 4th pick, Evander Kane, is also making his NHL debut tonight. Go Bolts!

Game Time: 7pm ET