The Tampa Bay Lightning offense continues to work like a well oiled machine, and the scary thing is it still doesnt feel like they have completely clicked. They appear to have even solved the second period woes that have haunted them in the first four games. After Stamkos got the bolts on the board with an aggressive rebound shot, the Panthers tied it on a fluke goal just fifteen seconds later. Instead of folding up, the Bolts responded to retake the lead less than two minutes later. Early in the second Tom Pyatt extended the lead to 3-1 and from there it was cruise control for the Bolts who coasted into protect the lead mode and still managed two goals in that situation.
The Bolts have a +14 goal differential, best in the Eastern Conference by a very wide margin, second place is +7.
Both of the Panthers goals were unassisted and somewhat fluky. Cory Conacher was robbed of what should have been a second period goal. The final score really could have and probably should have been 6-0.
two more power play goals for the Bolts has them at a even 30% clip on the season. For a team scoring 4.8 per game thats actually lower than projected. Shows how lethal this team is even at even strength.
Cory Conacher continued his calder cup campaign with a goal and an assist. Again, should have been two, but Im not bitter.
The Penalty Kill has been 10 for 10 the past two games and now stands at over 86%
the Special teams index for the Lightning is 117% so far this year. Anything over 100 is above average, over 110% is sensational. 117 is unexplainable.
As for that much maligned second period, the Bolts won it 2-0
Sami Salo another +1 to give him a NHL high +10 for the season
This team is special man, Im falling in love with them more and more every game.
And the rest of the division went 0-3 tonight meaning the Bolts gained a full 2 points on every team in the division! and the pens got blown out to an inferior team! at home! could this night get any better?
3 stars standings
Cory Conacher: 5 points
Mathieu Garon: 2 points
Vincent Lecavalier: 8 points
Martin St Louis: 5 points
Ryan Malone: 3 points
Sami Salo: 4 points
Dana Tyrell: 1 point
Tom Pyatt: 2 points
Southeast Standings
1. Lightning: 10 points
2. Jets: 7 points
3. Hurricanes: 4 points
4. Capitals: 3 points
5. Panthers: 2 points
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
Game 6: Florida Panthers (1-4-0) At Tampa Bay Lightning (4-1-0)
The Florida Panthers are the defending southeast division champions, but you wouldnt know it the way they are playing to start this season. The Panthers have lost four in a row, including a 7-1 thrashing at the hands of the Flyers in their last game, the same team the Lightning just thrashed 5-1. The Bolts on the other hand with a win tonight would be off to their best six game start since the 03-04 season, otherwise known as the Stanley cup season. This meeting will be the first of five Bolts-Panthers game this season, and first of three at the Tampa Times forum, with the other two at the litter box. The Panthers are the only team in the league to visit the forum more than twice this year.
Part of the problem for the Panthers on their losing streak has been offensive inpetitude. Since scoring four goals in the opening period of the season, they have scored four goals in their last fourteen periods. They hope that the return of Versteeg tonight, who has been out with a groin injury, will help get some of that offensive spark back.
the Panthers top line this season has combined for four points, the Bolts top line has combined for 27 points. That is probably the most telling stat as to how the season has gone for these two teams this far.
Head to Head
Goals per game: Panthers: 1.6 (30th in NHL) Lightning: 4.8 (1st in NHL)
Goals against per game: Panthers: 3.8 (29th in NHL) Lightning: 2.6 (10th in NHL)
Shots per game: Panthers: 28.2 (23rd in NHL) Lightning: 28.6 (21st in NHL)
Shots against per game: Panthers: 35.0 (29th in NHL) Lightning: 34.2 (27th in NHL)
Save Percentage: Panthers: .891 (21st in NHL) Lightning: .924 (6th in NHL)
Power Play: Panthers: 19.2% (17th in NHL) Lightning 28% (5th in NHL)
Penalty Kill: Panthers: 76.9% (20th in NHL) Lightning 84.6% (11th in NHL)
Around the southeast: The Jets travel to Montreal to take on the Canadians, and the Caps are north of the border as well to battle the Senators. The Canes have the day off to recover from their tough loss last night.
Part of the problem for the Panthers on their losing streak has been offensive inpetitude. Since scoring four goals in the opening period of the season, they have scored four goals in their last fourteen periods. They hope that the return of Versteeg tonight, who has been out with a groin injury, will help get some of that offensive spark back.
the Panthers top line this season has combined for four points, the Bolts top line has combined for 27 points. That is probably the most telling stat as to how the season has gone for these two teams this far.
Head to Head
Goals per game: Panthers: 1.6 (30th in NHL) Lightning: 4.8 (1st in NHL)
Goals against per game: Panthers: 3.8 (29th in NHL) Lightning: 2.6 (10th in NHL)
Shots per game: Panthers: 28.2 (23rd in NHL) Lightning: 28.6 (21st in NHL)
Shots against per game: Panthers: 35.0 (29th in NHL) Lightning: 34.2 (27th in NHL)
Save Percentage: Panthers: .891 (21st in NHL) Lightning: .924 (6th in NHL)
Power Play: Panthers: 19.2% (17th in NHL) Lightning 28% (5th in NHL)
Penalty Kill: Panthers: 76.9% (20th in NHL) Lightning 84.6% (11th in NHL)
Around the southeast: The Jets travel to Montreal to take on the Canadians, and the Caps are north of the border as well to battle the Senators. The Canes have the day off to recover from their tough loss last night.
Monday, January 28, 2013
Big Ten Week 5 Picks
I went 9-3 in Week 4, putting me at 32-12 on the season.
Tuesday
Wisconsin at Ohio St: Pick: Ohio St
Nebraska at Minnesota: Pick: Minnesota
Wednesday
Northwestern at Michigan: Pick: Michigan
Indiana at Purdue: Pick:Indiana
Thursday
Illinois at Michigan St: Pick: Michigan St
Penn st at Iowa: Pick: Iowa
Saturday
Purdue at Northwestern: Pick: Northwestern
Ohio st at Nebraska: Pick: Ohio st
Michigan at Indiana: Pick: Indiana
Sunday
Iowa at Minnesota: Pick: Minnesota
Wisconsin at Illinois: Pick: Illinois
Big Ten Standings
1. Michigan: 6-1
2. Indiana: 6-1
3. Michigan St: 5-2
4. Ohio st: 5-2
5. Wisconsin: 5-2
6. Purdue:4-3
7. Minnesota: 3-4
8. Northwestern: 3-5
9. Illinois: 2-5
10. Iowa: 2-5
11. Nebraska: 2-6
12. Penn St: 0-8
Tuesday
Wisconsin at Ohio St: Pick: Ohio St
Nebraska at Minnesota: Pick: Minnesota
Wednesday
Northwestern at Michigan: Pick: Michigan
Indiana at Purdue: Pick:Indiana
Thursday
Illinois at Michigan St: Pick: Michigan St
Penn st at Iowa: Pick: Iowa
Saturday
Purdue at Northwestern: Pick: Northwestern
Ohio st at Nebraska: Pick: Ohio st
Michigan at Indiana: Pick: Indiana
Sunday
Iowa at Minnesota: Pick: Minnesota
Wisconsin at Illinois: Pick: Illinois
Big Ten Standings
1. Michigan: 6-1
2. Indiana: 6-1
3. Michigan St: 5-2
4. Ohio st: 5-2
5. Wisconsin: 5-2
6. Purdue:4-3
7. Minnesota: 3-4
8. Northwestern: 3-5
9. Illinois: 2-5
10. Iowa: 2-5
11. Nebraska: 2-6
12. Penn St: 0-8
Penalty Kill ignites Lightning to 5-1 romp
To put it mildly, Sunday nights game against the Flyers did not at all start the way the Lightning wanted it to. For starters, Lindback allowed in a soft goal less than a minute into the game, and then 7:15 into the game, BJ Crombeen was called for a triple minor, meaning the Lightning were put on a four minute penalty kill, already down a goal. The Lightning had two options, fold up, give up a power play goal and call it a night, or fight on the long PK and gain momentum. They chose the latter, and they chose it in a loud way. The penalty kill was one of the most impressive Ive seen for some time. The Bolts stifled the Flyers cold the whole four minutes, and when it was over the crowd rose to their feet in appreciation. The momentum swing from that kill opened the way for three first period goals in a four minute twenty one second span. The much maligned second period was much better tonight, the Bolts did get outshot 11-5 in the period, but the score for the period was 0-0, a large improvement. Then Hedman provided the dagger as he tapped in a rebound less than a minute into the third for a 4-1 lead. Stamkos tacked on his third of the year later to make it officially a blowout.
This was, far and away, the Bolts best game of the season. 60 solid minutes of dominating hockey against a very good team. Its really starting to look like this could be a special season for the Bolts, and people are starting to take notice. Even Barry Melrose said last night that this team was for real. When Barry Melrose, who openly hates the Lightning (we hate you too Barry), admits the Bolts are good, people should take notice.
It was the second straight game where the Lightning ended a two game or longer winning streak by their opponent. These arent pushover teams or cold teams that they are beating.
Lecavalier got in his first fight since 2009, and he made it a good one. This can also be looked on as a momentum booster along with the four minute PK
The Penalty kill wasn't just dominant in the first period double minor. It was dominant all night long. The Flyers went 0-6 on the power play and the effort from the Lightning rose their penalty kill percentage on the season from 80% to 84.6%.
The Lightning outshot their opponent for the first time this season, 26-25.
Sami Salo picked up two more assists. It's really starting to look like this pickup was a good quality under the radar signing.
The Bolts are averaging 4.8 goals per game through five games, number one in the NHL. obviously 4.8 goals per game isn't sustainable over the course of a season, but its fun to watch while it lasts. Just a note, the most prolific offense in the NHL over the past 25 years was the 2005-06 Ottawa Senators who averaged 3.8 goals per game. I could see the Lightning contending with that, but only because its a short season.
The Lightning blocked 26 shots, compared to just 8 from the Flyers. This is a tad concerning though, because it means the Lightning only attempted 33 shots, a very low number.
Steven Stamkos has a point in all five games this season
Cory Conachers four game point streak came to an end.
St Louis picked up four assists.
3 star standings
Cory Conacher: 2 points
Mathieu Garon: 2 points
Vincent Lecavalier: 8 points
Martin St Louis: 5 points
Ryan Malone: 3 points
Sami Salo: 4 points
Southeast standings
1. Tampa Bay Lightning: 8 points
2. Winnipeg Jets: 7 points
3. Carolina Hurricanes: 4 points
4. Washington Capitals: 3 points
5. Florida Panthers: 2 points
Not only are the Lightning in sole possession of first place in the division, they have sole place in the Eastern Conference as well. The Bolts take on the last place Panthers tomorrow night.
This was, far and away, the Bolts best game of the season. 60 solid minutes of dominating hockey against a very good team. Its really starting to look like this could be a special season for the Bolts, and people are starting to take notice. Even Barry Melrose said last night that this team was for real. When Barry Melrose, who openly hates the Lightning (we hate you too Barry), admits the Bolts are good, people should take notice.
It was the second straight game where the Lightning ended a two game or longer winning streak by their opponent. These arent pushover teams or cold teams that they are beating.
Lecavalier got in his first fight since 2009, and he made it a good one. This can also be looked on as a momentum booster along with the four minute PK
The Penalty kill wasn't just dominant in the first period double minor. It was dominant all night long. The Flyers went 0-6 on the power play and the effort from the Lightning rose their penalty kill percentage on the season from 80% to 84.6%.
The Lightning outshot their opponent for the first time this season, 26-25.
Sami Salo picked up two more assists. It's really starting to look like this pickup was a good quality under the radar signing.
The Bolts are averaging 4.8 goals per game through five games, number one in the NHL. obviously 4.8 goals per game isn't sustainable over the course of a season, but its fun to watch while it lasts. Just a note, the most prolific offense in the NHL over the past 25 years was the 2005-06 Ottawa Senators who averaged 3.8 goals per game. I could see the Lightning contending with that, but only because its a short season.
The Lightning blocked 26 shots, compared to just 8 from the Flyers. This is a tad concerning though, because it means the Lightning only attempted 33 shots, a very low number.
Steven Stamkos has a point in all five games this season
Cory Conachers four game point streak came to an end.
St Louis picked up four assists.
3 star standings
Cory Conacher: 2 points
Mathieu Garon: 2 points
Vincent Lecavalier: 8 points
Martin St Louis: 5 points
Ryan Malone: 3 points
Sami Salo: 4 points
Southeast standings
1. Tampa Bay Lightning: 8 points
2. Winnipeg Jets: 7 points
3. Carolina Hurricanes: 4 points
4. Washington Capitals: 3 points
5. Florida Panthers: 2 points
Not only are the Lightning in sole possession of first place in the division, they have sole place in the Eastern Conference as well. The Bolts take on the last place Panthers tomorrow night.
Sunday, January 27, 2013
Game 5: Philadelphia Flyers (2-3-0) Vs Tampa Bay Lightning (3-1-0)
The Lightning look to continue their hot start as their five game homestand continues sunday night against the Flyers. We documented the Lightnings failures against the Senators over the past ten years, but with Philly it has been just the opposite. The Lightning have been masters over the Flyers as of late, including a 3-0-1 record last year. lindback will once again get the start in net.
Head to Head
Goals Per game: Flyers: 2.4 (21st) Lightning: 4.8 (1st)
Against: Flyers: 2.6 (13th) Lightning: 3.0 (15th)
Power Play: Flyers: 16% (20th) Lightning: 25% (10th)
Penalty Kill: Flyers: 70.8% (24th) Lightning: 80% (13th)
Around the southeast: Caps still looking for first win Vs Buffalo, Jets face the Islanders at home.
Head to Head
Goals Per game: Flyers: 2.4 (21st) Lightning: 4.8 (1st)
Against: Flyers: 2.6 (13th) Lightning: 3.0 (15th)
Power Play: Flyers: 16% (20th) Lightning: 25% (10th)
Penalty Kill: Flyers: 70.8% (24th) Lightning: 80% (13th)
Around the southeast: Caps still looking for first win Vs Buffalo, Jets face the Islanders at home.
Friday, January 25, 2013
Lightning erase two goal deficit to win 6-4.
Another big offensive outburst has woke people up as to just how lethal this offense may be. Down 4-2 and their backs against the wall, the Lightning railed off three goals in an impressive rally, and added an empty netter at the end, to win 6-4. Matt Carle opened the scoring for the Bolts just 1:09 into the game for an early lead, Ottawa tied the game early in the second, and the score hung tight 1-1 late in the period. I honestly thought this was looking to be a 2-1 or 3-1 game at this point. I was in no way prepared for the outburst that ensued. The Senators scored two goals in 15 seconds to take a 3-1 lead. Just fifteen seconds after that the Bolts got one back to make it a one goal game. When Ottawa extended the lead back to 2, Tampa scored just 40 second later to make it a one goal game again. In all, the two teams combined for five goals in three minutes, 40 seconds. In the third period, it was the Ryan Malone show. Malone tied the game early in the third, then put the Bolts ahead for good on a deflection with 7:02 remaining. The two goal period earned Malone the number one star of the game.
So here we are, a 3-1 start, an amazing 4.8 goals per game, and a two goal comeback, something that always defines a character win. That doesnt mean there wasnt cause for concern though, here are some points to consider:
The Lighning allowed 36 shots, just below their season average, which ranks 28th in the league. That number really needs to come down. The defense looked downright bad at times.
Victor Hedman: Really looked like a traffic cone two of the Senators goals. He answered with one his own, but the defense is what is concerning.
2nd period: The Lightning have been marvelous in the first and third periods this year, but downright atrocious in the 2nd. In four games this season the Bolts have been outscored 10-3 in the second period. In the first and third combined they've outscored their opponent 16-2. Its perplexing how they can be so bad in the 2nd, but dominant in the other two periods. The answer is its probably a short term coincidence, but we'll have to see if the trend continues.
Lets look at a couple things that looked promising for the team
Sami Salo: two assists and a team leading +5. One of the big vet signings this year could really pay off for the Bolts.
Cory Conacher continues his hot start with a point in all four games now this season
That along with the obvious of Malone and Stamkos looking good, and Ill take this game as a positive. Four goals against in one period is not good, but once again when Lindback needed to make big stops, he did.
3 star standings
Cory Conacher: 2 points
Mathieu Garon: 2 points
Vincent Lecavalier: 5 points
Martin St Louis: 4 points
Ryan Malone: 3 points
Sami Salo: 2 points
Southeast Standings
1. Tampa Bay Lightning: 6 points
2. Winnipeg Jets: 5 points
3. Carolina Hurricanes: 4 points
4. Florida Panthers: 2 points
5. Washington Capitals: 1 point
Love seeing the craps in last place, but cant believe they got a point out of tonights game, they should still be at 0.
So here we are, a 3-1 start, an amazing 4.8 goals per game, and a two goal comeback, something that always defines a character win. That doesnt mean there wasnt cause for concern though, here are some points to consider:
The Lighning allowed 36 shots, just below their season average, which ranks 28th in the league. That number really needs to come down. The defense looked downright bad at times.
Victor Hedman: Really looked like a traffic cone two of the Senators goals. He answered with one his own, but the defense is what is concerning.
2nd period: The Lightning have been marvelous in the first and third periods this year, but downright atrocious in the 2nd. In four games this season the Bolts have been outscored 10-3 in the second period. In the first and third combined they've outscored their opponent 16-2. Its perplexing how they can be so bad in the 2nd, but dominant in the other two periods. The answer is its probably a short term coincidence, but we'll have to see if the trend continues.
Lets look at a couple things that looked promising for the team
Sami Salo: two assists and a team leading +5. One of the big vet signings this year could really pay off for the Bolts.
Cory Conacher continues his hot start with a point in all four games now this season
That along with the obvious of Malone and Stamkos looking good, and Ill take this game as a positive. Four goals against in one period is not good, but once again when Lindback needed to make big stops, he did.
3 star standings
Cory Conacher: 2 points
Mathieu Garon: 2 points
Vincent Lecavalier: 5 points
Martin St Louis: 4 points
Ryan Malone: 3 points
Sami Salo: 2 points
Southeast Standings
1. Tampa Bay Lightning: 6 points
2. Winnipeg Jets: 5 points
3. Carolina Hurricanes: 4 points
4. Florida Panthers: 2 points
5. Washington Capitals: 1 point
Love seeing the craps in last place, but cant believe they got a point out of tonights game, they should still be at 0.
Game 4: Ottawa Senators (3-0-0) At Tampa Bay Lightning (2-1-0)
Craig Anderson may very well be the MVP of the league for the first week of the season. In minding the net for the Senators he has compiled a 0.67 goals against average, 3-0 record, and a .976 save percentage. The Senators have allowed a mere two goals in three games this season, both of the goals allowed have been power play goals. That means the Senators have yet to allow an even strength goal this season. To make matters worse, as good as the Senators have been this season against other teams, history says they will play better against the Lightning. Since the beginning of the new millennium, 2000, the Senators and Lightning have played 45 times, Ottawa has won 33 of them. Ottawa swept the season series last year from the Lightning 4-0, and the aforementioned early MVP candidate Craig Anderson? He has shut out the Lightning the last two times hes faced them at the SPTF. So its all doom and gloom tonight right? Wrong! Thank the hockey gods or the schedule makers, but the Senators played last night and Anderson started, meaning theres a 80-90 percent chance Anderson wont play and backup Ben Bishop will start in place. Bishop has a career 7-11 record, and would be making his first start of the season.
On the Lightning side, Anders Lindback will be getting his third start of the season, looking to improve his 3.51 GAA and .902 save percentage. Both numbers which have startled some bolts fans. Heres something to chew on though: The Lightning are giving up 36.7 shots per game, 28th in the NHL. Its beating a broken record, but the defense is as much to blame for the Lightnings goals against woes over the past seven years as the goaltending. Its still hard not to be skeptical about Lindback though, the Lightning have had about 12 goalies since Khabibulin left, and at one point or another, all of them have given Bolts fans hope that this is the one who will finally bring them the success Khabibulin provided. They've all failed. Why should lindback be any different? But then I think, Steve Yzerman himself hand selected this guy, so hes gotta be good. Lets just wait and see it play out, But I do think Lindback will end up being the best goalie in Lightning franchise history. Of course the last time I said that was when Marc Denis was brought in. Yikes. Moving on.
The Lightning will honor Captain Vincent Lecavalier for his 1,000th career game tonight. His 1,000th game happened on the road Monday in the loss to the Islanders, but he will be honored for it tonight. Its unfortunate Tuesday night wasnt hiis 1,000th game, as I think it was his best game in some time. Lecavalier will be a spark plug for the Lightning this season. They can certainly contend if he has an average season. But if he has a real productive year like he had in the game Tuesday? this team will be downright lethal.
Finally, Cory Conacher will look to continue his fast start. Hes already the first player in franchise history to record a point in his first three career games. Can he make it four?
Head to Head
Goals Per game: Ottawa: 3.7 (7th in NHL) Tampa Bay: 4.3 (3rd in NHL)
Goals against per game: Ottawa: 0.67 (2nd in NHL) Tampa Bay: 2.67 (18th in NHL)
Power Play: Ottawa: 33.3 percent (6th in NHL) Tampa Bay: 25 percent (11th in NHL)
Penalty Kill: Ottawa 85.7% (10th in NHL) Tampa Bay: 81.3% (15th in NHL)
Shots per game: Ottawa: 37 (2nd in NHL) Tampa Bay: 28.7 (20th in NHL)
Shots against per game: Ottawa 28.3 (10th in NHL) Tampa Bay: 36.7 (28th in NHL)
Save percentage: Ottawa: .976 (2nd in NHL) Tampa Bay: .927 (8th in NHL)
Around the southeast: Panthers have off, Carolina travels to Buffalo, Caps still looking for first win (haha) against the Devils in Jersey, and Winnipeg returns home to face the Penguins.
On the Lightning side, Anders Lindback will be getting his third start of the season, looking to improve his 3.51 GAA and .902 save percentage. Both numbers which have startled some bolts fans. Heres something to chew on though: The Lightning are giving up 36.7 shots per game, 28th in the NHL. Its beating a broken record, but the defense is as much to blame for the Lightnings goals against woes over the past seven years as the goaltending. Its still hard not to be skeptical about Lindback though, the Lightning have had about 12 goalies since Khabibulin left, and at one point or another, all of them have given Bolts fans hope that this is the one who will finally bring them the success Khabibulin provided. They've all failed. Why should lindback be any different? But then I think, Steve Yzerman himself hand selected this guy, so hes gotta be good. Lets just wait and see it play out, But I do think Lindback will end up being the best goalie in Lightning franchise history. Of course the last time I said that was when Marc Denis was brought in. Yikes. Moving on.
The Lightning will honor Captain Vincent Lecavalier for his 1,000th career game tonight. His 1,000th game happened on the road Monday in the loss to the Islanders, but he will be honored for it tonight. Its unfortunate Tuesday night wasnt hiis 1,000th game, as I think it was his best game in some time. Lecavalier will be a spark plug for the Lightning this season. They can certainly contend if he has an average season. But if he has a real productive year like he had in the game Tuesday? this team will be downright lethal.
Finally, Cory Conacher will look to continue his fast start. Hes already the first player in franchise history to record a point in his first three career games. Can he make it four?
Head to Head
Goals Per game: Ottawa: 3.7 (7th in NHL) Tampa Bay: 4.3 (3rd in NHL)
Goals against per game: Ottawa: 0.67 (2nd in NHL) Tampa Bay: 2.67 (18th in NHL)
Power Play: Ottawa: 33.3 percent (6th in NHL) Tampa Bay: 25 percent (11th in NHL)
Penalty Kill: Ottawa 85.7% (10th in NHL) Tampa Bay: 81.3% (15th in NHL)
Shots per game: Ottawa: 37 (2nd in NHL) Tampa Bay: 28.7 (20th in NHL)
Shots against per game: Ottawa 28.3 (10th in NHL) Tampa Bay: 36.7 (28th in NHL)
Save percentage: Ottawa: .976 (2nd in NHL) Tampa Bay: .927 (8th in NHL)
Around the southeast: Panthers have off, Carolina travels to Buffalo, Caps still looking for first win (haha) against the Devils in Jersey, and Winnipeg returns home to face the Penguins.
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