Anders Lindback Photo by Alexis Boucher

Whew. It was a busy day when it comes to Lightning news. Best to jump right in.

-When Anders Lindback left last night’s game against the Leafs, it didn’t look good. He went in in relief for a struggling Mathieu Garon, and left almost as quickly. The team issued the bad news earlier today. Lindback is out indefinitely with a right ankle sprain. With a little over a month left in the season, it’s pretty safe to say he’s done for the year.

-In light of Lindback’s injury, Cedrick Desjardins has been recalled from the Syracuse Crunch. Twitter buzz suggests Guy Boucher is planning on going with Garon in net for both Saturday and Sunday’s games. Richard Panik has also been recalled due to Ryan Malone’s shoulder injury.

- Tampa signed NCAA free agent defenseman Andrej Sustr to a two year entry level contract. The 22 year old Czech blueliner is literally a huge signing, as he is 6’8″ and 225 pounds.  If his name sounds familiar, you may have seen him at last summer’s prospect camp. The University of Nebraska-Omaha Maverick recorded nine goals, 25 points, and 53 penalty minutes through 39 games this season.

-Toronto Maple Leafs left wing Joffrey Lupul was suspended 2 games for his hit to Victor Hedman’s head Wednesday night. The league’s suspension video can be seen here.

Photo by Alexis Boucher

It’s tough to know where to begin. Another rough loss that saw the Toronto Maple Leafs score four goals before the Bolts answered. Another late rally that fell just short. Another injury, this time to Anders Lindback who had gone into the game in relief of Mathieu Garon.  Victor Hedman felled by a questionable hit delivered by Joffrey Lupul. Rough times indeed. Definitely not the way you want a road trip to get started.

Let’s focus on the positive. Radko Gudas, and his beard, scored his first career NHL goal. Cory Conacher and Tyler Johnson teamed up for Tampa’s second goal.

Rest, regroup, and get ready for Ottawa on Saturday. And hope Lindback’s lower body injury is only day to day.

Photo by Linda Hamilton

At the risk of getting into trouble by littering this brief recap with four letter words, I’ll keep it brief. Instead of censoring, here’s a short list.

- Can’t blame this one on Anders Lindback.

-Radko Gudas remains a beast, trimmed beard or no.

- Congrats to Tyler Johnson on his NHL debut.

As for the rest? Well… we’ll let 2006 Michel Therrien take it from here.

» Continue reading “Lightning Lose 2-0 To Islanders. Yes, The Islanders.”

Anders Lindback Photo by Alexis Boucher

The Lightning are extremely lucky to have pulled out a win against the Panthers tonight. Tampa registered just 13 shots on goal through the whole entire game. We’ve been remembering moments over the team’s 20 year history this season and they made it again tonight. They registered the lowest number of shots in franchise history. On the other end of the ice, Anders Lindback faced 39 shots. How on earth did the Bolts end up winning 3-2? Lindback stopped 37 of the Panthers chances.

It’s going to be difficult for some to give credit where it’s due, but Lindback stole this game for the Lightning. That can’t even be argued.

» Continue reading “Lindback Leads The Lightning In 3-2 Win Against Florida”

Nate Thompson Photo By Linda Hamilton

Tonight saw the Lightning defeat the New Jersey Devils 5-2 in what has been their most complete effort in recent memory. No exaggeration there. A lot of the mistakes that plagued them through the first three games of their road trip were addressed. Fewer turn overs, they were dominant in the face off circle, and were throwing hits. Add on scoring from the grinders and this was a very entertaining game to watch.

Here are some of the things that stood out this evening:

» Continue reading “Shout At The Devil: Lightning Snap Losing Streak In New Jersey”

Mathieu Garon Photo by Linda Hamilton

Early in the second period of last night’s loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins, Mathieu Garon moved to his left to make a save on Evgeni Malkin. As he drifted across the crease, it was clear that something was wrong. Tommy Mulligan came out to talk to the netminder for a moment before Garon gingerly left the ice under his own power. Anders Lindback went in in relief and Lightning fans are left with linger questions about another groin injury for Garon. A torn did end his 2011-12 season in March of last year. The team’s word so far is an undisclosed lower body injury, but it’s easy to read between the lines.

The injury brings roster moves. The team has officially announced that Cedrick Desjardins has been recalled from the Syracuse Crunch. Desjardins was re-acquired by the Lightning in mid-February. He’s plaed 28 AHL games this season, amassing a 2.70 goals-against average and a .910 save percentage.

Damian Cristodero of the Tampa Bay Times relayed coach Guy Boucher’s statement that Anders Lindback will get the start in goal tonight against the New Jersey Devils.

Bringing Lindy Back Photo by Alexis Boucher

When teams are struggling to find consistency, it’s easy for fans and pundits to start pointing fingers at perceived scapegoats. In baseball the blame is often assigned to the pitchers, in football it’s the quarterback. In hockey a lot of the woes are placed on the heavily padded shoulders of the goaltender. It makes sense. They are the one man standing in the way of  the opposition getting a tally on the scoreboard. Even if a lot of different factors can contribute to the opposition scoring, the lion’s share of the blame is placed with the masked man between the pipes.

We’ve seen quite a lot of this in Tampa’s shortened season in regards to Anders Lindback. Making the young netminder the scapegoat is extremely short sighted.  A lot of people need to take a chill pill.  Tampa has had goaltending issues for quite some time, but there’s no reason to write Lindback off as a failure 18 games into the season.

» Continue reading “Shut Your Yap: Lay Off Lindback Edition”

Steven Stamkos Photo by Linda Hamilton

There’s things we could be angry about. Poor goal tending in the first dug a hole too deep for the Lightning to climb out of. Untimely errors. Losing 5-3 in Pittsburgh. Putting in a less than ideal showing in one of their nationally broadcast games. None of those things are all that great, but not the worst part of this evening.

What is the worst you might ask? NBC Sports’ focus being on Sidney Crosby all night long. Yes, he scored two goals. But so did several other members of the Penguins. It’s not the Pittsburgh Crosbys, he isn’t out there alone. Given how this hasn’t changed since he came into the league. Maybe I’m just cranky tonight.

» Continue reading “Lightning Lose To Sidney Crosby. By Himself. If You Believe NBC Sports.”

Pierre Cedric Labrie Photo by Linda Hamilton

- Lightning GM Steve Yzerman made an announcement about some roster alterations this afternoon. Defenseman Brendan Mikkelson and forward Pierre-Cedric Labrie have been assigned to the Syracuse Crunch for a conditioning stint. Not a bad idea.

Mikkelson has skated in 2 games so far this season and did suffer a scary injury where he collided with the boards in practice. Labrie has seen time in 3 games and has garnered 5 penalty minutes. Neither has seen a lot of time and this will serve them better than sitting in the press box.

- Anders Lindback missed his start against the Washington Capitals due to a bout of the flu. Per head coach Guy Boucher, the goalie is feeling much better. Lindback practiced today and is anticipating to start in Saturday’s matinee game on the road against the Florida Panthers.

» Continue reading “Nuts & Bolts: Syracuse Assignments, The Beard, & Hockey Weekend Across America”

Pretty much, Guy.

So. Yeah. Things started off well enough in Newark this evening. The Lightning got off to a stronger start, looked a lot less sluggish, and were putting pucks on net. Unfortunately,  a number of the same issues that have reared their heads over the last few games came with them too. Unable to sustain pressure in the offensive zone and turnovers played a big part on the 4-2 loss to the New Jersey.

Oh and those funny penalty calls in the third period, but we’ll get there soon enough.

» Continue reading “Devil In The Details: Lightning Fall In New Jersey 4-2″