Lightning 5, Rangers 1 - Bolts WIN

When we were up 4-0 going into the 3rd, and I started to get nervous. You'd think being up 4-0 you wouldn't be nervous, but I was. It comes from the repeated times that the Lightning can have a lead, then somehow lose all composure, blow the lead, and end up losing in overtime.

But we didn't.

And Lundqvist got pulled. He gave up 4 goals on 22 shots.

Things just kinda went our way in this game. Great team effort.

• St. Louis had 3 assists
• Stamkos got another goal (#16)
  
• Kurtis Foster went from no goals up until a week ago, to 3 goals, this may not seam like a lot, but that the same amount that he got for the Wild during the whole 06/07 season
  

Leafs 4, Lightning 3 - Bolts LOSE

This game was a bit of a first for the Lightning, it showed a back and forth play between the two teams. Even though we lost, and ended the home streak, from what I watched, I enjoyed the game for the entertainment factor.

The Leafs came out early and scored two goals from Kulemin and Hagman early in the game. The Lightning answered back with a PPG from Meszaros and a even strength goal from Lecavalier in the 1st. Hagman started off the 2nd period with a goal for the Leafs, before Malone evened it up at 7:52 in the 2nd. It wasn't until the end of the 2nd that Stajan got the game winner of the night for the Leafs.

Thoughts on the game:

• Stamkos had two assists
• Toronto's Hagman had a fantastic game
• Malone had a great chance to get a goal in the end, but he was clearly out of gas, and a neat diving poke check from Beauchemin killed the attempt
• I didn't like Lundin's game, was terrible from what I saw in the 3rd
• The Lightning lost for the first time in regulation at home this year
  

Next game for the Lightning is on Friday against the Rangers. Enjoy your Thanksgiving everyone (well Americans at least). Gobble Gobble.

Lightning 4, Thrashers 3 - Bolts WIN

Classy Thrasher fans. At least you're classier than Anaheim's fans.

Stamkos scored his 15th goal of the season to win this game 2:56 into OT.

Thoughts on the game:

• No TV broadcast=NHL fails at life
• The Lightning outshot the Thrashers 40-31
• The Lightning blew the 3-1 lead
• Lecavalier hit two posts

Next game is at home against the Leafs on Wedsnesday

Lightning 4, Coyotes 1 - Bolts WIN

Vinny covers his face thinking something bad may have happened, but Marty answers back: "High Five man?"

Mike Smith got the start in net tonight. Earlier today I was confused as to why you would give Smith the start even though it was Niitymaki who had gotten the Lightning points in games that they had no business being in. But we won, so I can't complain, but I am curious as to why, especially since our next game is not until Thursday night so Niity would have had plenty of rest...oh, but recap, that's why you're here:

The Lightning won. And they won in regulation.



Malone looks like someone just told him unicorns exist, jebus he look happy.

Here are some thoughts on the game:

• Mike Smith make 30 saves, some of those were big saves on Petr Prucha
• The Coyotes have less fans that we do
• Lecavalier, Tanguay and St. Louis all got goals. Vinny got two of them (though the second one was off of Hanzal's stick)
  
• Smith stacked the pads to stop Shane Doan's shot
• Hockey 101 tells you what a glove save is (at around the 2 min left in the 2nd)
• "The announced crowd was 9,503, ending a three-game streak of five-figure attendance", but if you saw the stands, you'd know that they were no where near 9500....
  

Lightning 1, Kings 2 - Bolt LOSE

The Tampa Bay Lightning lost again in a shootout. Our record of shootouts is just not very good. That shootout win over the Wild the other day, is now written off to be a lucky win. But did this game really have to go to a shootout?

Some thoughts:

• Niitymaki robbed Kopitar early in the 2nd period
• Drew Doughty opened up the scoring on a powerplay goal in the 3rd (the puck hit Meszaros' skate)
• Malone decides to take matters into his own hands and wrap the puck around the net on Quick
• The SUN guys call Malone's wrap around a patented shot...um...no, it's not. I do agree how they called him "Mr. Clutch"
• Meszaros finally does something and scores, the Lightning spill off of the bench to the ice to congratulate, but the refs waive it off because of goalie interference. The refs botch this call since Szczechura was pushed into Quick, but no review can be made on this type of call.
• I start thinking that maybe refs might have had some deal worked out with the Kings owners for the win? Would that be a quick trip to the Palms in Las Vegas after the game?
• Even with the bad call on the no goal, the Lightning have a chance to win in the shootout....dum dum dum....
  
• Kopitar beats Niitymaki 5 hole in the shootout, and Tanguay can't beat Quick as the final shooter (especially when he throws the puck at Quicks pads)
• Bolts lose
  

Yes refs sometimes make bad calls, it happens but in the end, the Lightning had a chance to still win the game in the shootout, but didn't. None of our shooters (Lecavalier, Stamkos or Tanguay) were able to score. Maybe Tocchet should spend a little more time on the shootout in practice or the Lightning should try to win in regulation.

Lightning 4, Wild 3 - Bolts WIN

Didn't catch the game, just got the highlights, but a few thoughts:

• Ryan Malone scoring with 14.7 seconds left in the game to tie it up, YEAH!!!!
• Lecavalier scoring in the shootout. About time, non?
  
• The Lightning winning in the shootout. This one was long overdue.
  
• Lecavalier looked like he played a great game
• The Lightning looked like they turned the puck over a lot. Need to do better on that.
• Niitymaki kept the boys in the game
• Stamkos: 1G, 1A, and a shootout winner

May I say again, that we won in a shootout. About. Freaking. Time.

Game 11: NJ in Tampa

Dear NHL schedule makers,

The 3pm ET start time doesn't really work for me. Not on a Saturday. It's a bit too much, um in the middle of my freakin day?

It's a good thing that it's only the New Jersey Devils playing today, since they have to be my least favorite team to watch. They are winning 1-0 and the shot total at the end of the 2nd period is 28-9 for the Devils. Yes, 28-9. It sounded worse earlier when it was 20-4.

Maybe the Lightning are a little confused as well about this early start time?
I bet it's a nice day in St. Petersburg today and they are thinking that maybe a nice slushy beverage is in order.

I love my Lightning, but boys it's a nice day outside on the west coast and I can't justify listening to you play a boring hockey team on the radio. Especially when it is not raining outside. Maybe you can make a comeback in the 3rd period, I'll be happy if you do. If not, let's just save up your energy and um play better on Monday ok?

Lightning 5, Sharks 2 - Bolts WIN!

The Lightning won this game with a huge team effort. I could hardly believe this was the same team we saw lose to the Senators and the Pens last week. This team looked like a team that could actually play hockey.














Barely into the 1st period, just 30 seconds in, Lecavalier makes a pass to St. Louis, who feeds the puck to a speeding Wright that is coming towards the goal and he taps the puck in the back of the net. Fans hadn't even sat down in their seats yet and this new line has already gotten it's first goal. This is the same rookie who just got promoted to the top line with St. Louis and Lecavalier, who also got his 1st NHL goal tonight, just 30 seconds in to the period.















The Lightning extended the lead by a deflection from Ryan Malone off of David Hale's shot, they are up 2-0 to end the 1st period.

Seriously?

In the second period the Lightning were able to kill off a penalty that Stamkos took for holding, and kept the Sharks from mustering any real shots on the powerplay. A turnover led to the Sharks getting a goal from Ryan Vesce on Mike Smith, 2-1. It's ok, the Lightning still look good playing. Stamkos steals the puck from behind the net, fans on the original shot but gets Nabokov to commit to his attempt, then manages to get a wrist shot off, 3-1, unassisted by Stamkos.

In the third period, Andrej Meszaros gets a shot off from near the blue line that ended up going off a San Jose skater, 4-1. While Lecavalier is off in the box for slashing, Boyle is able to get a powerplay goal on Mike Smith making it 4-2. But it's really too late, and Tanguay, even though he has no goals so far, feels Dan Boyle breathing down his back as he skates the puck, passes the puck to Stamkos who gets an empty net goal. Tanguay could have taken the shot and been checked or hooked, instead unselfishly passed the puck for the goal. Team effort.













Was tonight a showing of what we could see in the future? I hope so.

Next game Saturday night against Buffalo

Notes:
-Mike Smith got his first win of the season
-The Lightning blocked 12 shots, with Hedman leading with 3
-Joe Thornton and Dany Heatley didn't get a shot on net

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

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.

Lightning 2, Thrashers 6 - Bolts LOSE

So this was the last game of the season. We had clinched 29th spot, and I was hoping for a win...ok, maybe that was asking too much from a team that last lost god knows how many games in row, nhl.com says nine.

There's not a whole lot to say about this game, it was just another loss to close out the season. On a rare occurence this season, Tampa actually had more shots on net than Atlanta (36 v 26), though clearly didn't capitalize on them like Altanta did.

Stamkos netted his 23rd of the season, setting a new rookie goal scoring record. Congratulations for his rookie year, it makes me excited for what is to come next season from him.

Lightning 2, Caps 4 - Bolts LOSE

The Lightning closed out their home games this year with a loss to the Caps. The Caps clinched the 2nd seed of the Easter Conference, and they have won the last 11 games against Tampa Bay.

Tampa Bay has lost 8 in a row, soon to be 9 and has the worst home game record in the NHL with 12-18-11. With this game they took a bunch of penalties, let in a goal on the PK and got out shot. They were without Lashoff due to an injury, and had to call up their 22nd defenceman, which makes that their 50th player to suit up for the Bolts. That pretty much sums up the entire year.

Nothing to recap, it's just another loss.

Stamkos did set a franchise record for goals by a rookie with his 22nd goal of the season.

Great quote from Norfolk GM Mike Butters about Geoff Kinrade's reaction to being called up
"When I told him he was going up, I thought he was going to throw up on my shoes,"
-From Lightning Strikes via Raw Charge

Kinrade was signed to a 1 game amateur tryout contract to play tonight. He's only played 8 games with the Admirals this season. Why? Well he was a call-up to the also injury-laden Admirals. Only a few games ago, he was playing in the WCHA. Uhuh.

Lightning 4, Penguins 6 - Bolts LOSE

Sorry for the late, and lacking recap. I was at the Flames/Canucks game last night, and it felt like the playoffs started already from the feeling at the rink, great feeling. Luongo played like he was back in Florida being a Panther.

The Lightning just decided to roll over and take it during the start of this game. They couldn't capitalize on the 5-3 in the 1st.

A goal from Fedotenko and 2 pp goals from Crosby made it 3-0 after the 2nd (both with assists from Kunitz and Malkin). This was a story that has been told far too many times this season, going into the 3rd down by 3 goals.

A goal from Cooke in the 3rd made it 4-0. It wasn't until after the 4th goal that they decided, that maybe they should try to score some goals. Koci makes a hit on Talbot, Godard doesn't like it, so they scrap.


At least the fight got the fans something to cheer about. While on the penalty, Halpern get's a shorthanded goal, St. Louis get's his 30th of the season and then 45 seconds later Szechura get's another, it's now 4-3. The Pens get a little scared that Tampa could make a comeback, but Sykora scores to make it 5-3. With 40 seconds left, Halpern scores, but Staal ends any hope of a win with an empty netter, 6-4.

“I don’t know what the stats are,” Lightning interim head coach Rick Tocchet said, “but when you don’t score on a 5-on-3, I bet you lose 85% of the time” - Lightning website
Way to state the obvious Tocchet.

-Malone broke his hand during the game, and is done for the season. He blocked a Malkin slap shot. It feels like karma for him for leaving the Pens to the Lightning for the money.

LIghtning 1, Islanders 3 - Bolts LOSE

The Bolts lost their 6th game in a row. They are still sitting with 66 points. Whew, 28th in the standings. Truthfully, this was the outcome that I was hoping for. I didn't catch this game, well because when two crappy teams play each other, no one is going to broadcast it. I did watch the domination of the Canadiens over the Leafs however.

Things of note from the game:
-Pettinger got the only goal for the Lightning on the powerplay
-For once, the Bolts outshot the opposing time (the worst team in the league) 30 to 21, but clearly couldn't capitalize on their shots

During the Bruins/Rangers game Avery hits Thomas on the head, and Thomas just comes after him, watch the video:

LIghtning 4, Devils 5 - Bolts LOSE

Even with the news that Vinny's done for the rest of the season, the rest of the team stepped up their game against the Devils. By stepped up, I mean the Lightning actually scored goals and kept the score close. Brodeur was being honoured for becoming the all time wins leader among goalies, so was sitting out the game which was good for the depleted Bolts bench.

Artyukhin opened up the game with a quick goal in the first and the Lightning had a strong 11 shots on net.

In the second, Kevin Weekes injures his wrist falling and Brodeur comes off the bench. I thought this would spell the end for the Lightning. Stamkos ties Richards' rookie scoring record at 21 on a powerplay goal! Ramo gets caught out of his net, threw his stick to deflect the puck. NJ gets a penalty shot. Shanahan beats Ramo and it's 2-1 Lightning The rest of the period, the Devils answer back with goals from Pandolfo and Langenbrunner. Periods over.

The third was another couple of goals. Malone gets one in an unassisted effort, his 26th of the season. Langenbruner answers back, and Karsums ties up the game with his first of the season.

This game goes to OT, and Zach Parise ends the game.

-There was only 5 shots in the seconds and 5 shots in the third from the Lightning
-The Lightning again, let on 39 shots

Lightning 1, Bruins 3 - Bolts LOSE

So the Bolts lose another game, the shots in the 3rd were 16 to 7 in favor of Boston, awful, special teams sucked, Lecavalier can't find the back of the net, but there were a few highlights in this loss:
1. Stamkos got his 20th of the season!
-and an assist from Lashoff!

2.Tocchet said about needing for his players to "push back", and they tried. Artyukhin took on Chara in a scrum, Petiot took on Byron Bitz, although it wasn't much of a fight, and Melichar tried to fight Lucic. I said tried to fight Lucic, because although they were a good matchup sizewise, Melichar is not a fighter, but good on him for trying to take on Lucic, that takes guts.

Here's a video from the Chara/Artyukhin tussle:

Lightning 0, Senators 3 - Bolts LOSE

We not just lost this one, we got shut out. In my preview, I suggested that cheap beer might be able to help a fan get through what I thought would be a terrible game. And that's exactly what it was, not much else to say. At least we didn't end up with any points in this one.

Lightning 3, Caps 5 - Bolts LOSE

Throughout the past few days both teams' coaches downplayed last weeks game between these two teams. Though Tocchet was quoted saying that winning tonight's game would be the best retribution to last week's events. He would even go to the lengths of only playing two lines if it would help him win.

The Lightning played the first two periods with a huge effort. For once, the shots on goal for the Lightning was comparable to the opposing team. 3 power play goals from the Caps in the 1st, and a goal from St. Louis (with another assist for Lashoff!). In the 2nd, Stamkos notched his 19th goal to bring the game closer. Again, the 1st and 2nd period was penalty city for the Lightning again.

It was early in the 3rd that Vinny Prospal ties it up. But Brian Pothier, who has not scored since Dec 27 2007, answers back for the go ahead goal. Pothier has been out since early January 2008 with a concussion that he got after Lucic checked him into the boards (let's hope Smith will have a speedier recovery). People thought he would retire from the effects of the concussion. This was his 4th game back, first goal of the season. Ovie get's an empty net goal in the end for his 100th point of the season.

In the end the Lightning lose, but made it tough for the Caps to walk away with this win.

-Shots on goal? Lightning 36, Caps 39...finally a game with over 20 shots for the Lightning, and something equal to the opposition

Side Story:
Ovechkin got a new toy today: a 200-mph Mercedes SL65 AMG Black Series. Price tag? $250, 000

Lightning 2, Canadiens 3 - Bolts LOSE

Another overtime loss tonight. Ramo was a god tonight and really was the reason the score isn't Lightning 0, Canadiens 20. This game was penalty city for the Lightning. 9 penalties taken by the Lightning, and Montreal, well they had 2. The refs clearly were making it easy for the home team.

Montreal outshot the Lightning 36 to 19, but that's pretty misleading. It was the Ramo show tonight.

The Lightning got two goals in the third from Koci and Krajicek to tie up the game and send it to OT. It would have been sweet to be steal the two points from the Canadiens, would those have been the 2 points that made them miss the playoffs? We'll never know, because we didn't steal both of the points. We ended up with a useless point.

No time to cry about it, the Lightning are catching the late flight to Washington where we rematch the Caps tomorrow.