Changeup

by John Fontana on Nov 9, 2005 10:18 AM EST in Game Previews

So Brian Eklund made his first start, supplanting John Grahame's flop-too-early Kevin Weekes immitation for the night...

So Dave Andreychuk got a night in the press box instead of in the starting lineup -- the first time that has happened in his career with the Lightning -- and Martin Cibak made his first start in several games...

So John Tortorella shook up every line and made you wonder what the hell was going on for sure... Lecavalier and Richards together in the regular lineup? WHen was the last time that happened? Back in Rimouski? Ruslan Fedotenko demoted to the fourth Line?

It still resulted in another Canadiens come back win this season and another puzzling loss for the Lightning where the once-resilent Lightning team that could always be certain they would get back in a game seem to be wondering if they are in the game at all.

Brian Eklund stopped 16 of 19 shots in his NHL Debut... Vaclav Prospal scored his 21st point fo the season -- and is on a pace for 107 points... That's just about twice his point production in Anaheim in 2003-04.

...and while I'm rambling aobut points with the team, lemme ask every fan out there - why are the Lightning afraid to check anyone? Are penalties that strictly enforced now to actually worry about solid checking? Or are is this team that lacking in this department - expecially on defense? It was guaranteed that Jassen Cullimore woudl deliever solid hits during a game and usually you could expect the same from Pavel Kubina... But this season it seems the only thing the Lightning defense is capable of is being timid about being physical. Stick work is highlighted over solid checks and intimidation.. It seems like poor defense is what's haggering the offense to a degree (notforwards poor defensive play, I mean a weak blue line hampering things in the other zone).

You know, Mike Egener was sent down from Springfield to Johnstown for whatever reason and I'm starting to wonder if they moved the guy int he wrong direction within the system?

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The biggest problem for the this team right now is St. Louis. His play has been terrible. Taking way too many high sticking pentalies and not creating many attacks chances for the club. I though under the new rules he would drawing calls instead of taking them. Put St. louis on the 4th line. Defense could use more hitting granted, but I saw a few more hits last night. Two decent periods and then total let down in 3rd. Jose played well in net for the hab’s, but we could have won that game. Let’s hope Marty is just in a funk and will break out, but right now I wish we would have given that money to the “Bulin Wall” he has a track record, and marty has one big year to go on. It’s early but looks bad. LETS GO BOLTS~~~!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!111

by adam on Nov 9, 2005 11:34 AM EST reply actions

I think it’s detrimental to progress shaking up the lines every game trying to find the team of last season. Put the lines back the way they were and keep ‘em there. It’s a long season, it seems like Torts is in a mad panic to get it going right now. The layoff was long and the preseason training was short. The talent is there give ‘em time Torts. You’re dead on about the checking, where is it? It seems like the calling is lightening up a bit, if the sticks are down they’re letting ‘em check. It’s sad when your biggest hitter is DiMaio.
Adam- Correct. Marty is playing a different style completely than he did last year. He sort of sits back waiting for the play to develop instead of creating the play. He keeps trying cutesy no-look, behind the back, through the legs passes that are cool if they work but are very low percentage. He is not grinding on the boards or fore-checking with intensity. He looks, dare I say it, old. Sort of like LaFontaine in his last few seasons.

by tiny on Nov 9, 2005 1:24 PM EST reply actions