Reversal of fortune

by John Fontana on Oct 10, 2007 10:50 PM EDT in Game Previews

If there was one thing apparent watching Johan Holmqvist and the Lightning defense against the Florida Panthers on Friday, it was the fact that they drove home the idea things would be different this season early on. How many odd-man breaks Holmer thwarted and how many times the Defense swept in from behind to rescue Johan is beyond count for me. Indeed, something was different tonight.

Holmer stops 30 of 31, Chris Gratton scores twice and the Lightning hang on to win 2-1.

The most disturbing thing about this game was the M-V-P line being pass-happy while the Panthers were clouding passing lanes rather well. Add to the fact that the Lightning tended to shoot low on Craig Anderson -- resulting in Lightning shots eating goalie padding -- and the teams 23 shot performance doesn't particularly wow those who have seen the Bolts offensive surge the past two games.

This game was won on defense and between the pipes -- hats off to Johan and company for doing what the Bolts failed to do last season and (mostly) shutting down the Panther offense. Their lone goal being a flukey, bouncy, roll-around tip in that got through Holmqvist's pads. The team improves to 3-0 and heads on the road to Miami.

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Comments

A few of those numerous odd-man rushes were caused by defensive miscues. However, you’re probably right that there has been a greater emphasis on defense so far. Lukowich, in particular, looks like he will go a long way in improving the defense. I’d be interested to know how Mike Sullivan’s strategies differ from what Ramsey did last year with the defense.

by Bob on Oct 11, 2007 8:26 AM EDT reply actions

Bob, remember the Lightning defense plays a part in the offense — meaning they tend to pinch into the offensive zone…. That’s usually what is credited as the reason an odd-man rush tends to be a problem with the Lightning.

And I’m not trying to appear as a know-it-all here when I say I thought Brad Lukowich would end up being a valuable cog in the defense.

As for Sullivan’s strategies differing from Ramsey’s — you got me there.

by John on Oct 11, 2007 10:27 AM EDT reply actions

I wish people would keep this in mind (the fact that our defensemen often pinch) when criticizing Holmqvist and Denis (and even John Grahame from 2005). I wish I could find stats on odd-man rushes, because I bet we gave up more than any other team last year. It’s unfair when people malign our goalies without noting this. How would Brodeur’s number’s look if he faced three more 2-on-1s per game?

by Bob on Oct 12, 2007 9:50 AM EDT reply actions

In the anti-Grahame defense, John Grahame’s chief problem was his all-or-nothing style. Sometimes it was spectacular and a lot of times — not on odd man rushes, but flurries in front of the net with his team around him, he’s commit too fully to a save and leave the net wide open for a rebound shot.

Denis, in my opinion, is above him in stature in the net.

But it’s noted at least in the press that the pinch-in offensive defensiveman style is a risk for odd man rushes. Though we defeated Florida — could we handle Ottawa in the same situation?

by John on Oct 12, 2007 10:42 AM EDT reply actions