Home time; Tampa Bay Lightning versus Philadelphia Flyers preview

by John Fontana on Dec 27, 2011 11:47 AM EST in '11-'12 game previews

WHERE: St. Pete Times Forum, Tampa, Florida
WHEN:7:30 PM EST | | TICKETS: Check Availability
MEDIA: Sun Sports (cable), 970 WFLA (radio)
OPPONENT COVERAGE: Broad Street Hockey

Tonight is game #35 of the NHL season for the Lightning, 21 of the first 34 games of Tampa Bay's season were played on the road, with thanks to the renovations at Times Palace ongoing.

Game 35 might not be the half-way point ot the season, but it does mark the end of a road-wary team's travels. Oh, the Bolts still hit the road for stretches during the weeks to come, but 26 of the next 40 games played will be at Times Palace.

For a team that must get it's act together if it wants to make the playoffs, the comforts of home may just be the remedy for what ails the Lightning. Or not.

Eastern Standings

	GP	W-L-OT	Pts
New York Rangers	34	22-8-4	48
Boston Bruins	33	23-9-1	47
Florida Panthers	36	18-11-7	43
Philadelphia Flyers	34	21-9-4	46
Pittsburgh Penguins	35	20-11-4	44
Toronto Maple Leafs	35	18-13-4	40
New Jersey Devils	35	19-15-1	39
Ottawa Senators	36	17-14-5	39
Buffalo Sabres	35	17-15-3	37
Winnipeg Jets	35	16-14-5	37
Washington Capitals	34	17-15-2	36
Montreal Canadiens	36	13-16-7	33
Tampa Bay Lightning	34	14-17-3	31
Carolina Hurricanes	37	12-19-6	30
New York Islanders	34	11-17-6	28

Tonight also marks Martin St. Louis' return to action at the Forum after taking a puck to the face in practice earlier this month. Marty, as you know, returned to action last week in San Jose, but he has not played in a hom egame since December 3rd against the New York Rangers.

So, during warm-ups or player introduction before the game, when you hear #26's name called, do Marty a service and cheer him loud, cheer him long, and when you're done cheering him -- cheer some more. It's the most direct appreciation we, as fans, can show him.

Matt GIlroy returned to practice yesterday, though I wouldn't put money down on him playing tonight. While I don't expect a call-up, Norfolk Admirals defenseman Evan Oberg better have an overnight bag packed and ready, just in case.

Also still practicing with the red, no-contact jersey, is Nate Thompson.

Mathieu Garon looks to start, again, for the Lightning. No telling if Ilya Brygalov or Sergei Bobrovsky starts for the Flyers... But for marketing purposes (and the next edition of HBO 24/7) you'd have to think it'd be Bryz between the pipes:

Other Previews

Tampa Bay Lightning official team preview

Full game coverage on SB Nation

Tickets

Check Availability

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Comments

The extreme home road/splits

and the disproportionate number of road games we’ve played might be the only things left allowing me hope of playoffs. Right now, we’re on pace for 75 points. But we’re also on pace for just 29 road points and 51 home points, for a total of 80. Last year, that’s the difference between 11th and 12th. Two years ago, it’s the difference between T10th and 14th. Still requires a pretty big turnaround to get back in contention, but not quite as big as it may look on the surface.

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 27, 2011 12:13 PM EST reply actions

Pace-meister Jay, I would be more concerned if the rest of the East were performing at the same levels as last year. That their not helps the Bolts and their playoff run (that begins now, apparently).

"The Revolution will be complete when the language is perfect"
- Smith in Orwell's 1984

by MTBoltFan on Dec 27, 2011 12:40 PM EST up reply actions

haha

I guess when you’re into numbers but don’t totally get hockey stats yet. . .

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 27, 2011 1:42 PM EST up reply actions