Following last night’s dismal showing against the New York Rangers, the media headed into the locker room to get the Lightning’s thoughts on the game. Pretty standard, really. What was out of character was that some of the team’s top players showed us what happens when people start getting real. Sun Sports showed interviews with both Steven Stamkos and Victor Hedman. Their words were a far cry from the programmed and sometimes cliche answers we’ve heard through the first 20 games of the season. Instead of canned responses, we got men who are clearly struggling to find an answer.

Allow head coach Guy Boucher to set the stage with his post game comments.

» Continue reading “Mad As Hell: Getting Angry May Be Just What The Lightning Need”

Photo by Alexis Boucher

It’s tough to be disappointed no matter what you read on Twitter. 2 games in as many nights are difficult for any team no matter how many goals they’ve been scoring. That seems to be what the Lightning suffered tonight. Through the second and third periods they just seemed tired. New York disrupted their rhythm and took the victory in the 3-2 game. A tad ironic as current members of the Rangers Brad Richards and John Tortorella were honored as part of the 20th anniversary celebration this evening.

The main thing that I take away from tonight, other than rage at the jerk Rangers fans sitting behind us, is how fickle Tampa’s fan base really is. Having been with them through thick and thin apparently I assume everyone has as well. Yesterday people were ready to hand the Bolts the Stanley Cup and now the sky is falling. It’s one game. The condensed schedule does place extra importance on each match up, but they’re going to lose games.

» Continue reading “Streak Snapped: Lightning Fall 3-2 To Rangers”

Photo from Christian Thomas’ Twitter

When confronted with that photo, it’s tough to know where to even begin. Yes, the gentleman on the right is Brett Connolly. Yes, you are seeing a whole lot of leg from him.

New York Rangers prospect Christian Thomas posted the pic on his twitter account on July 30th. That’s him on the far left. Fellow Matt Solomon and Rob DeFulviis in the middle round out this strangely dressed quartet.

There may be an explanation for this madness if the Lightning site is to be believed. Were they shooting the Fall 2012 Catalog for Chubbies Shorts? Hopefully Connelly finagled a pair of the ‘Mericas shorts for teammate Ryan Malone if this was the case.

Do you ever have those cringe worthy moments while looking at old photographs of yourself in questionable fashions? Cue one of those up for these boys in about 10-15 years.

Steven Stamkos is sneaky. That seems to be the overriding message out of Bauer Pro Camp in Atlantic City this week. Henrik Lundqvist of the New York Rangers tweeted the above earlier this week.  Good to know Stammer wasn’t giving away his secrets to a Vezina winning goaltender.

For those of you who are unfamiliar, for the past few years the folks at Bauer Hockey get some of their sponsored players together to scrimmage, test out new gear, and film advertisements for products that will be available to the public in the near future.

Bauer posted a lot of pictures from the all star caliber gathering. Definitely worth checking out here, if only for a first view of Eric and Jordan Staal in their Hurricanes uniforms.

Can we get “Never Trust A Sniper” on a t shirt?

Steven Stamkos Photo by Linda Hamilton

Lightning forward Steven Stamkos’ incredible season has earned him another honor. The finalists for this year’s Hart Memorial Trophy were announced today.

Stamkos joins the Pittsburgh Penguins’ center Evgeni Malkin and New York Rangers’ goaltender Henrik Lundqvist in being considered for the award.

During our award predictions, I already gave my guesses as to who would be nominated. While there is some satisfaction in being right, it’s tempered by the fact that I know Stamkos isn’t going to win.

Each year The Professional Hockey Writers Association votes on who they think the player most valuable to his respective team during the regular season is.

Stamkos had an exceptional season, becoming only the second player to reach the 60 goal mark since the 1995-96 season.  In doing so, he captured his second Maurice Richard trophy in the last three years.

He tied for the league lead in game winning goals, and set an NHL record by scoring five overtime goals. He also scored 48 even strength goals, the most for any player since 1992-1993.

The biggest reason why the Lightning star won’t win the award is the fact that the team didn’t make the playoffs. The last time a player was even nominated for the Hart without his team being in the post season was Jarome Iginla in 2002.

Even though the Hart is supposed to be for the MVP of the regular season, the post season is a big qualification for the winners. As predicted, Malkin will take it. That doesn’t lessen the honor. Stamkos’ star continues to rise in the NHL and as the Lightning continue to improve, I see a Marty St. Louis-esque awards tear in his future.