Tampa Bay Lightning Game 54: at the Washington Capitals

by Cassie McClellan on Feb 1, 2010 9:00 AM EST in Game recaps Comment 13 comments

The Tampa Bay Lightning lost to the Washington Capitals 3-2.

Much was made about this game, since the last time these two teams met there was some ugliness. Steve Downie matching up with Alex Ovechkin for a fight – only to have Matt Bradley fly in and take Downie instead – sort of sticks in everyone’s minds, for some reason. So either this game was going to be more of the same, or it was going to be played very conservatively.

Well, this game was another snoozer. The Lightning managed to stay with the Caps for most of the game, and while there was a lot of back and forth play going on, there really wasn’t much actual action. Much of the game was also played in the Lightning’s end, which made it a little hard for them to score.

For some inexplicable reason, Mike Smith got the start. Antero Niittymaki had been playing very well for much of the past eight games since Smith suffered a neck strain. Niittymaki, logically, should’ve been the starter for this game against the Eastern Conference’s best team. But he wasn’t.

Which isn’t to say that Smith played poorly, but he was definitely not at his best. His defensemen helped him out a lot more than usual. He didn’t look very sharp at all, and at times looked a little lost. Still, he helped manage to keep the Caps to only three goals, a feat which many teams have trouble doing.

The Lightning seem to have this talent for playing only as well as the team their playing against. They just can’t quite push past that and play better than the team they’re playing against. Although, they have no problem playing worse than their opponent from time to time. Tampa Bay could’ve won against the Caps had they been able to pull themselves together enough to be better.

Mike Lundin had a very good game. He’s not really talked about much, but he quietly puts together some very good games. Yesterday’s was one. Six blocked shots, for instance, is quite a feat.

Martin St. Louis had a good game. As did his linemate, Steven Stamkos. Each of them had five shots on goal each. Although, Stamkos was dismal in the faceoff circle, only winning 11% of his draws.

The next game is at the Atlanta Thrashers on Tuesday, 2 February. Game time is 7 pm Eastern.

Lightning vs Capitals coverage [SB Nation]

Japers' Rink [SB Nation Washington Capitals site]

Lightning vs Capitals recap [TSN]

Lightning vs Capitals boxscore [TSN]

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shut out

Nitti would have shut the Caps out !!!!

by tazz5 on Feb 1, 2010 9:47 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Get off your high horse

I for one think we’d still have lost with Niittymaki in net – yes, he’s the hot hand, but he’s played 9 straight… Tocchet probably wants to give him a game off, and has the big 15-0 against the Thrashers flashing in his head

I should be sound asleep... but it's more fun to watch the Hockey!

by taiter42 on Feb 1, 2010 10:06 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

see

high horse? lol,sounds like you didnt see this game ,all three goals Niittimaki would have ate up,,the garbage goaltending is the one and only reason we didnt get the two points and give Antero a little more credit,he’s not thinking about Atlanta if he’s in Washington,I applaud you for noticing he’s the hot hand (did that just don on you?) this team was 9-4 with Niitii as #1,9-4…thats also 18-8,36-16 which gets you in the playoffs easy!,9-4 then smith (I wont even capitalize his name) took over as #1,fast forward a couple months and we’re now 11-13,the numbers don’t lie or have an opinion,they’re facts,if it were not for Antero Niittimaki’s brilliance the Lightning would be trying to catch up to Carolina,is that where you want to be?

by tazz5 on Feb 4, 2010 9:28 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I did actually, so I wonder if you stuck around for the end of the game and saw the final couple of minutes – did you notice who Tocchet sent out with the game on the line? THAT is (in my eyes) the topic that should be up for discussion, not who’s playing in net. Click the “Stats” link at the top of the page, and scan down the list of skaters – if you can’t see what’s wrong with that list, then find out before claiming the Lightning are better off with Niity over Smitty.

I’m known for being critical of the coach, and whilst people have slowly worn me down (of course, some of the blame lies with the players…. but only so much!) I still think we’re better off with a team of monkey’s in charge – I don’t know if they’d write Shakespeare, but they’d probably get us into the playoffs!!

I should be sound asleep... but it's more fun to watch the Hockey!

by taiter42 on Feb 4, 2010 10:07 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

lost

taiter, do you think i’m leaving a game at 3-2? That game was lost due to the three very soft goals allowed,the outcome had nothing to do with what happened in the last two minutes

by tazz5 on Feb 4, 2010 11:20 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

So you’d give up in a one goal game then?

Anyway, time to stop feedling the little troll……

I should be sound asleep... but it's more fun to watch the Hockey!

by taiter42 on Feb 4, 2010 11:22 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

choice

with the right choice for starting goaltender,the score would have been 2-0 Lightning in the final two minutes

by tazz5 on Feb 4, 2010 11:32 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Coaching

I’m still not completely sold on our coach. I know the players love playing for him, but they don’t skate like it. I know Rick has made some difficult decisions with players, but I also believe he made the decisions too late.

With a new possible owner and more trade talk coming up, this team needs to rally together, and fast. And getting this team to rally together is the job of ….the coach. We’ll see.

by k_c on Feb 2, 2010 10:32 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

coaching

k_c, You are thinking in the right direction,I know about the new owners but hopefully that doesnt distract the players,I don’t think so,the coaching is horrible but the team he has is very very highly skilled in all areas,at this point in the season I don’t recommend firing toccett,back in December and January hell yes ! If he’s smart enough to keep Antero Niittymaki as #1 in goal the Lightning WILL make the playoffs and possibly survive the first round,I hope so and that they consider Adam Oates as head coach,the players are buying what he’s selling,they won’t buy toccett’s swampland…

by tazz5 on Feb 4, 2010 10:07 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

“…the players love playing for him.” I can assure you that nothing could be further from the truth.

by Gobaby on Feb 2, 2010 12:02 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

bullseye

Thank you Gobaby for pointing that out,so true,the players are self motivated on the Lightning,they hate having toccett as a “coach” I can tell,why can’t everyone?

by tazz5 on Feb 4, 2010 9:33 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Is it me or is our coach slow to respond?

by k_c on Feb 2, 2010 1:54 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

slow

he’s brain dead,all he has to do for this team to succeed is choose his best goalie,duh,how hard is that? I can see him standing there behind the bench for every game,maybe he’s drunk,I don’t know but it looks like an easy decision to make,“Let’s see”: Do I want a pristine athlete that shows up ready willing and able to perform at an extremely high level or a flopping flounder that can’t stop a beachball? it’s a no-brainer

by tazz5 on Feb 4, 2010 9:50 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs