St. Louis?! Tampa Bay Lightning at San Jose Sharks preview
by John Fontana on Dec 21, 2011 12:08 PM EST
in '11-'12 game previews
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WHERE: HP Pavilion, San Jose, California
WHEN: 10:30 PM EST | | TICKETS: Check Availability
MEDIA: Sun Sports (cable), 970 WFLA (radio)
OPPONENT COVERAGE: Fear the Fin, Battle of California
If you're a print media reader, like I am, who cherishes their morning paper, you may have noticed the aside snippet in the St. Pete Times this morning that announced Martin St. Louis was back on ice at practice yesterday. If you were online last night, or even this morning, scouring hockey news via Twitter and other electronic sources for your Lightning and NHL fix, you would have found more news about Marty practicing for the first time since December 8th.
Like pictures.
And video:
Hat tip, stick tap, and high praise to Tampa Tribune beat reporter Erik Erlendsson for keeping the fans abreast on what was going on during practice (via Twitter) and his full write-up regarding St. Louis' return that appeared on TBO early this morning.
And while fans were surprised St. Louis had returned to practice (full speed, contact and all) so quickly from such a serious injury... So is Marty:
"All said and done, if you had told me I'd be skating 12 days after it happened, I would have paid for that," said St. Louis, whose nose was broken and orbital bone fractured. "So, I count my blessings that I'm able to be out there right now."
So, with the Bolts playing late night hockey in Silicon Valley, it's worth musing about if Marty St. Louis will suit up tonight against the San Jose Sharks, or if it's better (for health and safety sake) for him to hold off until the team returns to Tampa get back into the game.
Marty, Marty, Marty... Talking injury and focusing on St. Louis' potential return overlooks the Bolts other injury woes that will affect who plays during tonight's game against the Sharks. Nate Thompson went down early during the Bolts win versus the Columbus Blue Jackets last weekend, and defenseman Matt Gilroy is hurting. The Bolts made a pair of call-ups before departing for the West Coast: forward JT Wyman, and defenseman Evan Oberg.
Oberg... You've heard that name several times now, but have yet to see him play. He's earned nicknames such as "Yo-Yo" for his up-and-down travels (promotion, demotion, promotion, demotion) or "Pilot Wings" for his frequent flier miles that he has racked up as of late. Evan has played six games with the Norfolk Admirals since he and defenseman Mike Kostka were acquired from the Florida Panthers. He's got 3 assists and is a +5 too. He is yet to make an appearance in a Lightning game despite his numerous travels with the team.
Will he play tonight? In the wake of Gilroy's injury, it's almost a certainty that the Bolts will go with Bruno Gervais on defense. Evan will get his chance, but it may not be soon.
JT Wyman is a former Hamilton Bulldog, who played under Guy Boucher';s system in 2009-10. He also is on the fence with playing tonight: it hinges on if Marty plans to play or not.
While the Lightning would like nothing more than to get a victory tonight against the Sharks, it's not going to be an easy task. San Jose has 37 points on the season, two behind Pacific Division leading Dallas. They're 3-2-2 in their past seven games (including a victory over Dallas last week).
The Sharks have two issues that mirror the Bolts own issues at current: They are down a top-6 forward with the first name "Martin" (Martin Havlat is out for San Jose) and are looking to string together a three game winning streak with a victory tonight.
By the way: Matthieu Garon is slated to start in net for the Lightning tonight. I wouldn't be surprised to see Roloson start against the Colorado Avalanche on Friday.
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Would love to see Marty play tonight
But I think it would be in his interest to sit this one out. The team might be better off as well. But then again, I’m just a fan…
"I am NOT happy with the new realignment. "
- Matt Edwards
Big risk for him to be suiting up 13 days after such an injury. Having him with the team is a morale booster, for sure, but for his sake own sake, waiting until the team returns to Tampa (post Christmas) may be a better idea than getting back into things now.
Typing is an adventure, and reading should be, too!
Raw Charge.
by John Fontana on Dec 21, 2011 3:29 PM EST up reply actions
I'll be off continuing
what was it, John? My “sordid affair” with the Hurricanes? But I imagine I should be back by puck drop
If I cared more about my UNC side, I'd call myself "Tar Volon," and that'd be awesome.
Bolts, Canes, Preds (now in different conferences!). Canes mini-STH. Southern hockey solidarity
Rocky Top Talk
by Incipient_Senescence on Dec 21, 2011 3:32 PM EST reply actions
Yes, Jay, “sordid”.
Typing is an adventure, and reading should be, too!
Raw Charge.
by John Fontana on Dec 21, 2011 3:33 PM EST up reply actions
Two-timer! You should be ashamed of yourself! :oO
"You don't have enough talent to win on talent alone." -Herb Brooks
Raw Charge, an SBN Tampa Bay Lightning community. Follow me on Twitter: @dagmar27.
by Cassie McClellan on Dec 21, 2011 3:35 PM EST up reply actions
hey, we won last time I was at a Hurricanes game
see if we can get more of that tonight
If I cared more about my UNC side, I'd call myself "Tar Volon," and that'd be awesome.
Bolts, Canes, Preds (now in different conferences!). Canes mini-STH. Southern hockey solidarity
Rocky Top Talk
by Incipient_Senescence on Dec 21, 2011 3:49 PM EST up reply actions
PREDICTIONS
3-1 Tampa going into the third. San Jose will make it 3-2 in the last 10 minutes of the game, Lightning hold off for the win.
"We're fighting, You can't say we weren't fighting." - Guy Boucher after Tampa Bay Lightning loses third-period lead again in 4-2 defeat at Ottawa Senators.
Amen.
Following the Lightning from Rio Grande, Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil.
Let's. Go. BOLTS!
by Rafael Amarante on Dec 21, 2011 5:30 PM EST up reply actions
This will be tough
The 10:30pm faceoff will make it difficult to a) watch the whole game, and; b) get out of bed tomorrow morning.
For Marty’s sake, I will certainly try. :-)
"The Revolution will be complete when the language is perfect"
- Smith in Orwell's 1984
Right?
Thinking about a pre-game nap, like the players, hah. And of course, the Wings game wouldn’t start tonight ’till 10, due to being in Vancouver. Figures. ..Always Dallas/Philly on Versus.. to take up time.
"WINGnut--BOLThead"
Let's GO..Wings, Tigers, Lions, Wolverines (oh my!) & Bolts!!!! (RIP Cory Smoot aka Flattus Maximus of GWAR)
by Let's JOE WINGS-BOLTS on Dec 21, 2011 6:42 PM EST up reply actions
on vacation...
for once I’m not resentful of the west coast start time. in fact I’m looking forward to it.
but I am supposed to play tennis tomorrow morning. since my back has been hurting for a few weeks, what’s some sleep deprivation and perhaps a hangover? ;-) It’s not like I’m going to play well tomorrow, anyway!
Should be a fun game. I still miss Dan Boyle in a Bolt’s uni, and enjoy seeing him play.
Damn Marty
Talk about a speedy recovery. As much as I’d love to see him out there tonight… he needs to remember that he’s just as smart a hockey player, as he is dedicated. Needs to give himself another game off, at the very least. Playoffs might have been a different story.
"WINGnut--BOLThead"
Let's GO..Wings, Tigers, Lions, Wolverines (oh my!) & Bolts!!!! (RIP Cory Smoot aka Flattus Maximus of GWAR)
by Let's JOE WINGS-BOLTS on Dec 21, 2011 6:48 PM EST reply actions
I’m not sure the poll asked the right question. Should Marty play tonight? Probably not. Will he play? Well, if the doctors say he’s able, I’d have to think he’s likely to play.
FWIW, Boucher’s pre-game update today sounded like he was thinking that Marty still needed to do some off-ice work. Though there wasn’t anything definite in that video.
R.I.P. Belak, Rypien, Boogaard, Lokomotiv.
Rakastan suuria Maalivahdit Skandinaviasta
I really appreciate
the honesty I sense from Guy Boucher. The discussion about Oberg was really to the point, but he was willing to expound in it for a few moments – a real deep picture into pro sports, and how sometimes it’s not that glamorous, painted in not too many words.
Marty? Well, I’d not put too much past him, but I suspect he’s out a few more games.
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