Tampa Bay Times Forum & Esposito’s New Statue Photo by Linda Hamilton

When the NHL realignment plan first came to light, there were a lot of questions. What about old rivalries like Detroit & Chicago? How does this make more geographic sense than the current lay out? With a league comprised of four conferences back in popular conversation, there’s been a lot of talk about how this would effect the Tampa Bay Lightning. In short, it could be great for the Florida teams and it could be terrible.

In hockey, as in life, it often helps to make a list of pros and cons:

» Continue reading “NHL Realignment: Bad or Boon For The Tampa Bay Lightning?”

Bringing Lindy Back Photo by Alexis Boucher

A well known hockey cliche states that games are 60 minutes for a reason and you have to step up for all of them. That wasn’t entirely true for the Lightning this evening as they hosted the Montreal Canadiens. 55 minutes of the passive play that has been a hallmark of their last 5 games saw the Habs take a 3-0 lead. With about 6 minutes left in regulation, Tampa rallied to tie the game and force it to a shootout.  Montreal secured the 4-3 victory in the SO, but this may have been the jump start the Lightning needed.

Not much to discuss through those first 54 minutes of the game. Anders Lindback kept it as close as possible, having some pretty acrobatic saves for such a large guy. The officiating was lopsided, but the Bolts couldn’t sustain any real pressure even when they were playing even strength. Tampa had 3 power play opportunities in the second period and only managed one shot on goal. Basically, it sucked.

» Continue reading “One To Grow On: Lightning Salvage A Point In Shootout Loss”

Ryan Malone Makes New Friends Photo by Linda Hamilton

Tampa’s improved depth is going to be put to the test going into tonight’s game against the Montreal Canadiens. LW Ryan Malone suffered an undisclosed lower body injury prior to Sunday’s game against the New York Rangers.  Many players take part in a pre-warm up skate soccer game and that seems to be what aggravated a lingering ailment.

Lightning head coach Guy Boucher estimated that Malone could miss as much as 3-4 weeks. Bugsy is hoping that he’ll miss less time. This marks the third consecutive season that the winger has missed time due to injury.

With Malone’s movement to the IR, the Lightning have recalled Richard Panik from the Syracuse Crunch. Panik has 21 goals and and 14 assists through 43 games with the Crunch this season.

“Panik is a big guy with tremendous speed,” Guy Boucher said. “He’s a solid hockey player. He’s got unbelievable hands and skills, and sometimes has shown flashes of brilliance.” (Quote Source: NHL.com)

It’ll be a big night for two of Tampa’s prospects. Panik will make his NHL debut and Alex Killorn will play his first game at the Tampa Bay Times Forum.

Steven Stamkos Photo by Linda Hamilton

Negotiations may have continued in secret today, but locked out NHLers continue to devote their time to raise money for charities. In one week’s time Tampa’s Steven Stamkos and Montreal’s P.K. Subban will lead teams in the RBC Play Hockey Charity Challenge at the Mattamy Athletic Centre in Toronto.

More than 30 NHLPA members will make up the two teams for a 60 minute 5 on 5 game. Here’s a bit of trivia for you: the sports facility is inside the original Maple Leaf Gardens. The proceeds from the event will go to benefit the NHLPA’s Goals & Dreams fund and RBC’s Play Hockey initiative.

» Continue reading “Steven Stamkos Suits Up For RBC Charity Fundraiser”

Steven Stamkos Photo by Linda Hamilton

As the Tampa Bay Lightning take the ice in Montreal for one of their final games, one man has the eyes of the hockey world on him more intensely than ever.

The Bolts may not be poised to make the playoffs, but their star sniper is poised to make history of his own.

Steven Stamkos sits at 58 goals on the season and has three games left to hit the 60 goal mark before it’s all said and done.

If he does score those 2 goals, he will join Alex Ovechkin as the only players to reach 60 in the last 12 years. Stammer would be the first North American player to achieve 60 since Mario Lemieux scored 69 goals in 1995-1996.

One of the reasons why Steven has run away with the Maurice Richard Trophy race this year is that his game has evolved an insane amount since he first came into the league in 2008-09. His deadly wrist shot is well documented, but now he is starting to go to the net and score more “dirty” goals.

The good news is that Stamkos has had scoring success against their three remaining opponents. He has 2 goals in three games against Montreal, one in three games against Toronto, and three in five games against Winnipeg.

If he stays hot, there’s a possibility he could eclipse 60 and aim even higher.

Update:  Or he could be held scoreless in the Lightning’s 5-2 loss to the Habs. Ah well. The hunt resumes tomorrow in Toronto.