Lightning seek to melt Avalanche in Tampa (game preview)
by John Fontana on Nov 30, 2009 1:40 PM EST
in Game previews
12 comments
WHERE: St. Pete Times Forum, Tampa, Florida
WHEN: 7:30 PM EST
MEDIA: Sun Sports (Cable), 620 WDAE (Radio)
It's been just about a year since the Lightning and Avalanche last faced off at Times Palace, and for those who can't recall what happened -- a rather great game was ruined by referee's travesty:
In a year's time, I'm still pissed off over this incident... But my anger is not directed at the Colorado Avalanche in any way, shape or form (nor has it ever)... No, it's directed at the refs on ice and Stephen Walkom's asinine remark heralding the judgments on ice as the right call.
But enough of that. It's over and done with, it happened. It shouldn't play into anything that happens tonight in Tampa as the Avs and Lightning face off for the first of two meetings this season. The Bolts are coming off their sloppy overtime loss to the Dallas Stars on Saturday night and the Avs are reeling, going 2-5-3 in their past 10 games after a hot-hot start to surprise just about everyone in the NHL. The Avalanche are starting a 5 game road trip (perfect time for a vacation to sunny Florida!) and have lost wing David Jones to a torn ACL.
If Mike Smith starts in net, it will only confirm Cassie McClellan's suspicions that Tocchet has a preference for Mike over Antero Niittymaki. Smith has played a more-down-than-up season so far in net. Flashes of brilliance have been less consistent than an over-aggressive, bone-headed play or two. I've remarked during game threads that Smith reminds me, at times, of former Lightning goaltender John Grahame. Of course, Smith has yet to make a mistake comparable to this:
from October 21st, 2005 vs. the Ottawa Senators
...But his play has not earned him the right to play three games in a row.
It looks like Mattias Ohlund is going to be back int eh lineup tonight for the Lightning, Mike Lundin's been sent down.... again. Lundin, -2 in four games with the Bolts this season, has had a steady amount of ice time in his four starts, with over 20 minutes in Friday's win against the Rangers and over 17 the loss to Dallas. He was +1 in those two games. Matt Smaby will be returning to Tampa, though, and hopefully will be seeing his first playing time of the season this week.
The Avalanche have 33 points this season, which is just less than half of what they had all of last season. They currently have the league's 20th ranked power play unity (19.4%) and 16th ranked penalty kill (79.6%). Much like the Bolts, the Avs have been depending on their netminder to put them over the top... and with the team allowing over 32 shots a game, strong goaltending becomes a necessity.
Rookie Matt Duchene, the 1st rounder who was selected just after Victor Hedman in this year's draft, has 12 points in 27 games and is a -10 for the Avalanche... Paul Stastny is the team's points leader with 25 (6 goals, 19 assists). Milan Hejduk leads the team in goal-scoring this seasonw ith 11.
Other Previews:
Tampa Bay Lightning official team preview
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Starter
word on the street says Nitty is gettng the start tonight against the avs…he has only lost once at home.
by lorddarkrai on Nov 30, 2009 1:51 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Hope so.
He should have been starting in net on saturday if you ask me.
To strive, to seek, to find, and to forever keep it Raw. Raw Charge.
by John Fontana on Nov 30, 2009 2:17 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I agree
Sometimes I wish I had Tocchet’s cell number so I could ask who is starting….I have both Smith and Nitty in my fantasy league along with Ryan Miller, so it’s hard to call which goalie to start.
by lorddarkrai on Nov 30, 2009 2:49 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Sorry all...
But I have to side with the Avalanche tonight. It’s nothing personal. They were my second home team when I was younger.
That all said, here are tonight’s lines:
Tangers – Enzo – Pigpen
Bugsy – Seen – Mighty Mite
Killer – Chewie – Downs
Fozzie – Zeke – (Veilleux)
The Axe – The Butcher
(Hale) – Tex
(Krajicek) – (Ohlund)
Frank
Smitty
ryanclassic.net
by Ryan Classic on Nov 30, 2009 3:07 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
OK, that was just bizarre, Ryan :)
Yeah, I do realize it’s a compilation of nicknames… but it still looks bizarre ;)
To strive, to seek, to find, and to forever keep it Raw. Raw Charge.
by John Fontana on Nov 30, 2009 5:30 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I do what I can. We’re quickly making this team the most-nicknamed team in hockey. I applaud you all.
ryanclassic.net
by Ryan Classic on Nov 30, 2009 5:34 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Last meeting...
possibly the most frustrating SO loss in Lightning history. Tim Peel sucks. notice how he hasn’t ref’d a game @ the forum since this game?
by KyleGuthrie4 on Nov 30, 2009 5:38 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Nobody likes Time Peel. I don’t even think Tim Peel likes Tim Peel.
ryanclassic.net
by Ryan Classic on Nov 30, 2009 5:45 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
That was so ridiculous. I have no words
And I try to stress the point that I’m not pissed at the Avs over that… but really that game was a tie and the winner decided. No goals broke that tie.
To strive, to seek, to find, and to forever keep it Raw. Raw Charge.
by John Fontana on Nov 30, 2009 7:32 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Peel's horridness is just more evidence of the failures of the system
Club Two Minutes lives proudly as complacent and arrogant SOB’s in charge of the game.
To strive, to seek, to find, and to forever keep it Raw. Raw Charge.
by John Fontana on Nov 30, 2009 7:35 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
The funny thing is
its not the only terrible call ive seen him make. he ref’d a Coyotes-Red Wings game one time, it was the worst officiated game ive ever seen.
by KyleGuthrie4 on Nov 30, 2009 5:53 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
My roommate and I often have a conversation that goes like this:
“What a horrible call.”
“Who’s reffing? Tim Peel?”
“Yes.”
ryanclassic.net
by Ryan Classic on Nov 30, 2009 5:59 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
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