Coming into Tuesdays game between the Lightning and Flyers Tom sestito had three career goals, and none since December 23rd 2010, over two years. Tuesday night he had two and they were the only two for the Flyers in a 2-1 win. It doesnt matter that he was fed beautifully for both goals and was basically in a one on one situation for both of them, what matters is he got them. The Lightning meanwhile, has had their high flying offense slow down the past two games, which was inevitable, but still a little alarming when you look at the stats tonight.
Only 22 shots on net, including no real good chances on a power play late. They just didnt want to shoot on that power play and really wasted a lot of time passing and ended up with nothing of substance.
0 for 4 on the power play. Having the number on power play in the league coming in, this was another stat that was inevitably going to come down, but the power play was a heavy dissapointment tonight.
Two odd man rushes in the second period that yielded zero shots. One had a pass tipped on a two one one, the other a whiffed shot.
Benoit Puliot was the lone goal scorer for the Lightning, in the third period with a beautiful feed from Purcell.
St Louis seemed unwilling to shoot the puck late in the game at a time where you just need to shoot at the net and see what happens. It was frustrating to see.
Purcell ended up with an assist, but his performance the rest of the night was very subpar.
Matt Carle had a chance to feed stamkos as the final seconds dwindled for one last shot but the pass was very poor and Stamkos never got a shot off. A microcosm of the whole night.
Still in first in the division
Southeast Standings:
1. Tampa Bay Lightning: 12 points
2. Winnipeg Jets: 9 points
3. Carolina Hurricanes: 8 points
4. Florida Panthers: 7 points
5. Washington Capitals: 5 points
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
Game 9: Tampa Bay Lightning (6-2-0) At Philadelphia Flyers (3-6-0)
The Lightning have gotten off to a red hot start to the season, but most of it has been within the friendly confines of their home rink. now they take their explosive offense on the road to see if they can continue their success. Winning on the road was what prevented the Bolts from making a return trip to the playoffs last year, as they won just 13 games on the road. This year so far they are 1-1 and are about to embark on a four game road trip that will tell us a bit more about how serious this team is about contending this year. Up first, the rival Flyers for the second of third meetings and the only meeting in Philly this year. The Bolts disposed of the Flyers 5-1 just over a week ago, and held them scoreless over the last 59 minutes of the game. Despite the Flyers dissapointing 3-6 record they still have a winning record at home, at 2-1.
These two teams normally give us at least one classic a year. Two years ago it was the 8-7 thriller, last year it was the 2-1 overtime game where Philly famously stalled for the whole first period in defiance of the Lightnings defensive system. So be prepared for a possible thrilling matchup tonight. The Bolts are 7-2 in their past 9 against the Flyers.
Head to Head
Goals Per Game: Flyers: 2.33 (22nd) Lightning: 4.88 (1st)
Goals against per game: Flyers: 2.89 (19th) Lightning: 2.63 (15th)
Shots per game: Flyers: 27.3 (25th) Lightning: 29.1 (16th)
Shots against per game: Flyers: 29.6 (16th) Lightning: 32.3 (26th)
Save Percentage: Flyers: .902 (18th) Lightning: .919 (9th)
Power Play: Flyers: 18.6% (16th) Lightning: 36.1% (1st)
Penalty Kill: Flyers: 73.8 (24th) Lightning: 83.3% (10th)
Around the Southeast: The Panthers play The Jets in Winnipeg in a division matchup and the Caps are at home the face the Maple Leafs. The Hurricanes have off after winning yesterday.
These two teams normally give us at least one classic a year. Two years ago it was the 8-7 thriller, last year it was the 2-1 overtime game where Philly famously stalled for the whole first period in defiance of the Lightnings defensive system. So be prepared for a possible thrilling matchup tonight. The Bolts are 7-2 in their past 9 against the Flyers.
Head to Head
Goals Per Game: Flyers: 2.33 (22nd) Lightning: 4.88 (1st)
Goals against per game: Flyers: 2.89 (19th) Lightning: 2.63 (15th)
Shots per game: Flyers: 27.3 (25th) Lightning: 29.1 (16th)
Shots against per game: Flyers: 29.6 (16th) Lightning: 32.3 (26th)
Save Percentage: Flyers: .902 (18th) Lightning: .919 (9th)
Power Play: Flyers: 18.6% (16th) Lightning: 36.1% (1st)
Penalty Kill: Flyers: 73.8 (24th) Lightning: 83.3% (10th)
Around the Southeast: The Panthers play The Jets in Winnipeg in a division matchup and the Caps are at home the face the Maple Leafs. The Hurricanes have off after winning yesterday.
Sunday, February 3, 2013
Big Ten Week 6 Picks
I went a perfect 11-0 picking games this week, now standing at 43-12 halfway through the Big Ten season.
Tuesday
Purdue at Penn St: Pick: Penn st
Ohio st at Michigan: Pick: Michigan
Wednesday
Minnesota at Michigan st: Pick: Michigan st
Iowa at Wisconsin: Pick: Wisconsin
Thursday
Indiana at Illinois: Pick: Indiana
Saturday
Michigan at Wisconsin: Pick: Wisconsin
Northwestern at Iowa: Pick: Iowa
Michigan st at Purdue: Pick: Purdue
Penn st at Nebraska: Pick: Nebraska
Sunday
Indiana at Ohio st: Pick: Indiana
Illinois at Minnesota: Pick: Minnesota
Standings
1. Indiana: 8-1
2. Michigan: 7-2
3. Michigan st: 7-2
4. Ohio st: 7-2
5. Wisconsin: 6-3
6. Minnesota: 5-4
7. Purdue: 4-5
8. Northwestern: 4-6
9. Iowa: 3-7
10. Illinois: 2-7
11. Nebraska: 2-8
12. Penn St: 0-9
Tuesday
Purdue at Penn St: Pick: Penn st
Ohio st at Michigan: Pick: Michigan
Wednesday
Minnesota at Michigan st: Pick: Michigan st
Iowa at Wisconsin: Pick: Wisconsin
Thursday
Indiana at Illinois: Pick: Indiana
Saturday
Michigan at Wisconsin: Pick: Wisconsin
Northwestern at Iowa: Pick: Iowa
Michigan st at Purdue: Pick: Purdue
Penn st at Nebraska: Pick: Nebraska
Sunday
Indiana at Ohio st: Pick: Indiana
Illinois at Minnesota: Pick: Minnesota
Standings
1. Indiana: 8-1
2. Michigan: 7-2
3. Michigan st: 7-2
4. Ohio st: 7-2
5. Wisconsin: 6-3
6. Minnesota: 5-4
7. Purdue: 4-5
8. Northwestern: 4-6
9. Iowa: 3-7
10. Illinois: 2-7
11. Nebraska: 2-8
12. Penn St: 0-9
Win streak ends as Bolts fall 3-2
Sometimes when everything is going right and your team is hot as the sun you forget that other teams are good to and you will inevitably eventually lose. The Rangers are the most talented team in the Eastern Conference and despite their .500 record are still considered the favorites to win the conference. After a tough grinding first period in which both teams moved up and down the ice but couldnt sustain a consistent attack, the Lightning finally drew first blood on the power play, but the Rangers went on to score the next three goals and threw the dagger with about five minutes left on a weak goal that sneaked through Garons legs for a 3-1 lead. Stamkos got the Bolts to within a goal at 3-2 with 21 seconds left, and the Lightning made one final charge to tie it, but a shot at the buzzer hit Lecavalier in the leg, and fluttered away from the net as the buzzer sounded. To add insult, Lecavalier appeared to be badly hurt on the play and a xray is expected tomorrow.
The fact is the Bolts had plenty of chances tonight , but they just werent going in the net. It happens. Its going to happen. guess what? theyre still winning the division by more than a full game and are still the best offense in the league. They need to find a way to split this tough upcoming road trip in my opinion, anything less would be concerning.
Steven Stamkos tacked on two more goals and now has a point in all eight games this season.
In what will be an important stat to keep track of this season, the Bolts are now 1-1 in the second game of back to backs. This is the only second game of a back to back this year at home. The next one will be next Sunday against the Rangers again at MSG
It was the sixth sellout in six home games this year. Anyone who says we dont love hockey in Florida and dont deserve an NHL team can suck it.
their was six combined penalty minutes in the game, it was a clean entertaining hockey game. It was about as hockey a hockey game as their can possibly be, if that makes sense.
Onto the next one in filthydelphia
Southeast Standings
1. Tampa Bay Lightning: 12 points
2. Winnipeg Jets: 7 points
3. Carolina Hurricanes: 6 points
4. Washington Capitals: 5 points
5. Florida Panthers: 4 points
The fact is the Bolts had plenty of chances tonight , but they just werent going in the net. It happens. Its going to happen. guess what? theyre still winning the division by more than a full game and are still the best offense in the league. They need to find a way to split this tough upcoming road trip in my opinion, anything less would be concerning.
Steven Stamkos tacked on two more goals and now has a point in all eight games this season.
In what will be an important stat to keep track of this season, the Bolts are now 1-1 in the second game of back to backs. This is the only second game of a back to back this year at home. The next one will be next Sunday against the Rangers again at MSG
It was the sixth sellout in six home games this year. Anyone who says we dont love hockey in Florida and dont deserve an NHL team can suck it.
their was six combined penalty minutes in the game, it was a clean entertaining hockey game. It was about as hockey a hockey game as their can possibly be, if that makes sense.
Onto the next one in filthydelphia
Southeast Standings
1. Tampa Bay Lightning: 12 points
2. Winnipeg Jets: 7 points
3. Carolina Hurricanes: 6 points
4. Washington Capitals: 5 points
5. Florida Panthers: 4 points
Saturday, February 2, 2013
Game 8: New York Rangers (3-4-0) At Tampa Bay Lightning (6-1-0)
A scorching hot start to the season has got Bolts fans pumped about the prospects of this years team, and tonight they begin a five game stretch that will tell us more just how serious this team is about contending this year. There is no doubt tonights game against the Rangers will be the toughest test of the season so far. Despite their slow start to the season the Rangers are still the odds on favorite to win the Eastern conference this year, and have the best goalie in the league between the pipes. So how will the best offense in the league fare against the best goalie in the league? Im excited to find out, and history says pretty well. Ludqvist has a subpar by his standards 2.79 GAA in his last seven starts against the Bolts, and a 1-6 record to go with it. I cant really blame some people for being a tad skeptical for the Lightnings start, only three of the first six wins came against playoff potential teams, and two of those three teams played their backup goalie against the Bolts. The other one, the Caps, is off to an ice cold start. Still, 5.3 GPG sustained over a seven game stretch is simply stunning and can not be overlooked.
There is no doubt part of the improvement from this year over last year is the defensive improvement. Sami Salo and Matt Carle were huge additions and have really shored up the defensive ineptitude. Not to mention last years duds Eric Brewer and Victor Hedman have stepped up their games in a major way this year.
Matt Garon will be earning just his second start of the season, his first being ten days ago at Carolina when he allowed just one goal in a 4-1 Bolts win. This will be Garons first home start since March 8th when he pulled his groin and was lost for the season.
One of the biggest differences between these two teams this year have been the power play. The Rangers have managed only 3 PP goals, while the Bolts have put up 12 after their three last night. Obviously if you get dominated in the special teams category, you are not winning many games. The Rangers have a special team index of just 91.3 while the Lightnings special team index is 116.7, a massive difference.
Im not one into giving predictions for hockey games because they are often so unpredictable but I have a gut feeling this game will go to overtime, probably at 2, but maybe at 3. Just a feeling. Obviously playing the Rangers is always a bit emotional for Bolts fans as the Rangers head coach is John Tortella who coached the Lightning to their Stanley Cup, and the Rangers also feature Brad Richards who was the MVP of the Playoffs for the Lightning when they won the cup.
Head to Head
Goals Per Game: Rangers: 2.29 (22nd in NHL) Lightning: 5.29 (1st in NHL by a huge margin)
Goals Against Per Game: Rangers: 2.86 (18th in NHL) Lightning 2.57 (11th in NHL)
Shots per game: Rangers: 29.3 (14th in NHL) Lightning: 28.7 (18th in NHL)
Shots against per game: Rangers: 29.7 (18th in NHL) Lightning: 32.6 (24th in NHL)
Save Percentage: Rangers: .904 (15th in NHL) Lightning: .921 (8th in NHL)
Power play: Rangers: 10.7% (26th in NHL) Lightning: 34.3 (3rd in NHL)
Penalty Kill: Rangers: 80.6% (15th in NHL) Lightning: 82.4 (11th in NHL)
Around the southeast: The only other southeast team in action tonight is the Hurricanes who are in Philly to face the Flyers.
There is no doubt part of the improvement from this year over last year is the defensive improvement. Sami Salo and Matt Carle were huge additions and have really shored up the defensive ineptitude. Not to mention last years duds Eric Brewer and Victor Hedman have stepped up their games in a major way this year.
Matt Garon will be earning just his second start of the season, his first being ten days ago at Carolina when he allowed just one goal in a 4-1 Bolts win. This will be Garons first home start since March 8th when he pulled his groin and was lost for the season.
One of the biggest differences between these two teams this year have been the power play. The Rangers have managed only 3 PP goals, while the Bolts have put up 12 after their three last night. Obviously if you get dominated in the special teams category, you are not winning many games. The Rangers have a special team index of just 91.3 while the Lightnings special team index is 116.7, a massive difference.
Im not one into giving predictions for hockey games because they are often so unpredictable but I have a gut feeling this game will go to overtime, probably at 2, but maybe at 3. Just a feeling. Obviously playing the Rangers is always a bit emotional for Bolts fans as the Rangers head coach is John Tortella who coached the Lightning to their Stanley Cup, and the Rangers also feature Brad Richards who was the MVP of the Playoffs for the Lightning when they won the cup.
Head to Head
Goals Per Game: Rangers: 2.29 (22nd in NHL) Lightning: 5.29 (1st in NHL by a huge margin)
Goals Against Per Game: Rangers: 2.86 (18th in NHL) Lightning 2.57 (11th in NHL)
Shots per game: Rangers: 29.3 (14th in NHL) Lightning: 28.7 (18th in NHL)
Shots against per game: Rangers: 29.7 (18th in NHL) Lightning: 32.6 (24th in NHL)
Save Percentage: Rangers: .904 (15th in NHL) Lightning: .921 (8th in NHL)
Power play: Rangers: 10.7% (26th in NHL) Lightning: 34.3 (3rd in NHL)
Penalty Kill: Rangers: 80.6% (15th in NHL) Lightning: 82.4 (11th in NHL)
Around the southeast: The only other southeast team in action tonight is the Hurricanes who are in Philly to face the Flyers.
Friday, February 1, 2013
Lightning eviscerate, destroy, rape, Thrash, insert word implying domination here Jets 8-3
Seven minutes into Friday nights contest between the Jets and the Lightning and it looked like the Jets may have a shot at keeping the Bolts offense under control. At this point Tampa had only managed one shot and no real chances and had possession of the puck in their offensive zone for very little time. then, the parade to the penalty box started, and the offensive attack was on. The Bolts rode the power play to a quick 3-0 lead after one, then found some holes in a shoddy Jets defense for 3 more early in the second and had a 6-0 lead built less than halfway through the game. The Lightning let up on the peddle a bit in the third, allowing three Jets goals, but still managed to get the last blow in when Puliot tipped the puck in the net with 1:25 left for a final score of 8-3.
This was a total team effort, there was honestly 10 number one stars tonight. But the official number one star went to Conacher hos continues his Calder cup campaign with two goals and an assist, now five goals on the year.
The 8 goals is tied for the most Ive ever seen them score in person. The other time was against the Jets, but when they were the Thrashers in 2002. The Bolts won that game 8-5.
Theres not much else to say about this one except this team continues to give the league a reason to get noticed, yet continues to fly under the radar. Aside from the second periods against the Islanders and Senators the Lightning have utterly dominated every other minute this season. Theres no doubt this is the best team since the cup season, the question is whether or not this team is better than the cup team? They have potential, but they need to prove they can win big road games first, which is why Im very much eager to see how theyll fare on the upcoming road trips in tough cities like New Jersey, Philly,and Boston.
3 stars standings
Cory Conacher: 8 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
Steven Stamkos: 3 points
Eric Brewer: 1 point
Southeast Standings
1. Lightning: 12 points
2. Winnipeg Jets: 7 points
3. Carolina Hurricanes: 6 points
4. Washington Capitals: 5 points
5. Florida Panthers: 4 points
This was a total team effort, there was honestly 10 number one stars tonight. But the official number one star went to Conacher hos continues his Calder cup campaign with two goals and an assist, now five goals on the year.
The 8 goals is tied for the most Ive ever seen them score in person. The other time was against the Jets, but when they were the Thrashers in 2002. The Bolts won that game 8-5.
Theres not much else to say about this one except this team continues to give the league a reason to get noticed, yet continues to fly under the radar. Aside from the second periods against the Islanders and Senators the Lightning have utterly dominated every other minute this season. Theres no doubt this is the best team since the cup season, the question is whether or not this team is better than the cup team? They have potential, but they need to prove they can win big road games first, which is why Im very much eager to see how theyll fare on the upcoming road trips in tough cities like New Jersey, Philly,and Boston.
3 stars standings
Cory Conacher: 8 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
Steven Stamkos: 3 points
Eric Brewer: 1 point
Southeast Standings
1. Lightning: 12 points
2. Winnipeg Jets: 7 points
3. Carolina Hurricanes: 6 points
4. Washington Capitals: 5 points
5. Florida Panthers: 4 points
Game 7: Winnipeg Jets (3-3-1) At Tampa Bay Lightning (5-1-0)
Off to their best start since their magical stanley cup season eight years ago, the Bolts face a team whom they have dominated over the past three season, and who has struggled mightily on the road overall during the same stretch. The Jets won only fourteen road games in their first season in Winnipeg, a stark contrast to their 23 home wins. Now the 2013 season is starting out much the same way for the Jets who sport a 1-3 road record compared to a 2-1 home record. That includes allowing a five goal third period on the road against the Panthers last night, who were the worst offensive team in the league before the outburst. So the question is if the worst offense in the NHL can score that much against the Jets number one goalie, how many goals can the best offense in the NHL put up against the Jets backup goalie? That is assuming backup Al Montoya gets the start, but even if Pavalec gets the nod, how effective will he be starting on back to back nights, and is his career 3-10 record against the Bolts worth giving him the nod? Montoya has started one game this year and got the win, but allowed four goals on only 25 shots.
Meanwhile the Bolts goaltending has been nothing short of stellar over the past two games, with a 1.5 GAA in those two games, and the simple fact that all three goals have been very fluky goals. The Lightning haven't allowed a "legitimate" goal since the second period against Ottawa. Lindbacks season stats are up to 4-1 with a 2.8 GAA and .914 save percentage. The question is will Lindback get the nod tonight? Its pretty much a guarantee Garon will start one of the next two games, and it wouldnt shock me in the least if it was tonight. Saving Lindback for tomorrow against the much tougher Rangers would certainly be a nod of confidence in his favor.
Then there's the Lightnings dominance over the Jets/Thrashers over the past few seasons. The Bolts are 14-3 over this franchise over the past seventeen games, including 8-0-1 at home. it doesnt matter what city they play in, the Bolts always play well against this team. I am personally attending this game (and tomorrow nights) and the Lightning have played simply stunning lately in games ive gone to. they are 13-2 in the last 15 games Ive gone to, and 9-1 in the last ten, scoring 3.7 GPG in those 15 games. Im feeling another win tonight, but tomorrow, another game Im attending, is going to be the toughest game of the season to date, we'll see what that one holds. One more not, Since San Jose offense has cooled considerably, the Lightning lead the league in goals per game by almost a full goal (4.83 to 3.86 for second place San Jose)
Head to Head
Goals per game: Jets: 3.00 (10th in NHL) Lightning: 4.83 (1st in NHL)
Goals against per game: 3.29 (24th in NHL) Lightning: 2.50 (9th in NHL)
Shots per game: Jets: 29.6 (13th in NHL) Lightning: 29.3 (15th in NHL)
Shots against per game: Jets: 31.1 (21st in NHL) Lightning: 33.2 (27th in NHL)
Save Percentage: Jets: 89.4 (23rd in NHL) Lightning: 92.5 (4th in NHL)
Power Play: Jets: 20% (14th in NHL) Lightning: 30% (5th in NHL)
Penalty Kill: Jets: 63.6% (30th in NHL) Lightning: 86.7% (5th in NHL)
Around the southeast: The last place in the entire eastern conference powerhouse Washington Capitals head home to face the Flyers after another hilarious 3rd period meltdown yesterday against Toronto. The Hurricanes are also home to face Ottawa. Florida has off after tiring out the Jets for us last night.
Meanwhile the Bolts goaltending has been nothing short of stellar over the past two games, with a 1.5 GAA in those two games, and the simple fact that all three goals have been very fluky goals. The Lightning haven't allowed a "legitimate" goal since the second period against Ottawa. Lindbacks season stats are up to 4-1 with a 2.8 GAA and .914 save percentage. The question is will Lindback get the nod tonight? Its pretty much a guarantee Garon will start one of the next two games, and it wouldnt shock me in the least if it was tonight. Saving Lindback for tomorrow against the much tougher Rangers would certainly be a nod of confidence in his favor.
Then there's the Lightnings dominance over the Jets/Thrashers over the past few seasons. The Bolts are 14-3 over this franchise over the past seventeen games, including 8-0-1 at home. it doesnt matter what city they play in, the Bolts always play well against this team. I am personally attending this game (and tomorrow nights) and the Lightning have played simply stunning lately in games ive gone to. they are 13-2 in the last 15 games Ive gone to, and 9-1 in the last ten, scoring 3.7 GPG in those 15 games. Im feeling another win tonight, but tomorrow, another game Im attending, is going to be the toughest game of the season to date, we'll see what that one holds. One more not, Since San Jose offense has cooled considerably, the Lightning lead the league in goals per game by almost a full goal (4.83 to 3.86 for second place San Jose)
Head to Head
Goals per game: Jets: 3.00 (10th in NHL) Lightning: 4.83 (1st in NHL)
Goals against per game: 3.29 (24th in NHL) Lightning: 2.50 (9th in NHL)
Shots per game: Jets: 29.6 (13th in NHL) Lightning: 29.3 (15th in NHL)
Shots against per game: Jets: 31.1 (21st in NHL) Lightning: 33.2 (27th in NHL)
Save Percentage: Jets: 89.4 (23rd in NHL) Lightning: 92.5 (4th in NHL)
Power Play: Jets: 20% (14th in NHL) Lightning: 30% (5th in NHL)
Penalty Kill: Jets: 63.6% (30th in NHL) Lightning: 86.7% (5th in NHL)
Around the southeast: The last place in the entire eastern conference powerhouse Washington Capitals head home to face the Flyers after another hilarious 3rd period meltdown yesterday against Toronto. The Hurricanes are also home to face Ottawa. Florida has off after tiring out the Jets for us last night.
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