The Southeast This Week

There were two big stories in Lightning land this week, one exciting, and the other extremely frustrating. 

The Bolts recovered from an embarrassing 7-4 loss to the Panthers on Monday by beating the New York Islanders 4-1 on Thursday, and shutout the Ryan Miller-led Buffalo 3-0 on Saturday. 

The other, much more annoying story is that yet another article came out chronicling how Vincent Lecavalier is going to the Vancouver Canucks straight up for Roberto Luongo.  I've recently expressed my stance on the whole thing, and I'm not going to waste my time or yours spelling out why it's ridiculous.  However, I do have one question for the Canadian media:

I know you spend most of your time discounting the existence of hockey in the South and often specifically the Lightning, but you do realize that the team's NMC's are legitimate and upheld through the NHL, right? 

At any rate, stories from the rest of the Southeast after the fold. 

Carolina Hurricanes: Rough week for the Hurricanes after beating the Boston Bruins for the second time this season, they then gave up a game to the St. Louis Blues, and then gave up five goals to the Winnipeg Jets.  That's not good.  Looks like Cam Ward will probably start 70-plus games this season.

Some of the numbers behind those two losses.

The Canes have signed Victor Rask to an Entry Level Contract.  No relation to Tuukka.  

Florida Panthers: The Panthers traded away longtime potential stud and injury-risk David Booth, as well as Steve Reinprecht, and a 2013 third-round pick to the Canucks for Marco Sturm and Mikael Samuelsson.  Beats me. 

The Cats special teams aren't too shabby so far. 

Trust Dale Tallon, Panthers fans.

Washington Capitals: It would seem that Ryan Lambert is rather high on the Capitals. And after obliterating the Detroit Red Wings, why not? 

That Tomas Vokoun signing is working out pretty well. I love how he says he's used to facing eleventy billion shots per game. 

Japers weekly update. 

A little bit of brand confusion it would seem. 

By the way, did you know that the Capitals are the only undefeated team left in the NHL?  Thought you might like to know that.

Winnipeg Jets: The Jets lost to the Ottawa Senators Thursday by a score of 4-1.  Not something to be proud of. 

It's that time of year where young guys are returned to their junior teams.  Mark Scheifele is heading back to the Barrie Colts. 

Dustin Byfuglien says Not Guilty! 

Pretty interesting breakdown of shot quality.  

Important Matchups:  Lightning at Sabres (Tues 10/25), Capitals at Canucks (Sat 10/29), Panthers at Sabres (Sat 10/29), Hurricanes at Philadelphia Flyers (Sat 10/29).