It started innocently enough, but eight years later I'm still doing this blogging thing. That's a testament in itself as bloggers tend to last only so long; giving in to burnout, giving up on their hobby, or finding something better to do.

But really, eight years later.... Thank you to those who have read my work, those who continue to read my work, and those who have sworn off my work as utter drivel (you know who you are, and I'm thankful I don't know who you are).

Special thanks to long time associates Eric McErlain, James Mirtle, Mike Chen, Jes Golbez; the bossman at SB Nation, Tyler Bleszinski; Cassie McClellan, Meredith Qualls, Nolan Whyte, the rest of the Raw Charge crew (Clark, Matt, Dani, Clare, Tina), and too many bloggers to note (those on SB Nation and elsewhere).

At any rate, I decided to throw together some numbers to compliment that span of time since I opened up shop (on Boltsmag.com) on February 10th, 2004.

Eight Year numbers:

Tampa Bay Lightning record: 267-238-70 with 1 tie
Number of Stanley Cup Championships: 1
Number of Head Coaches: 4
Number of General Managers: 3
Number of ownership groups: 3
Number of different uniform/logo designs: 3
Number of different roster players since Feb 10, 2004: 146
Number of players from the 2004 roster who remain: 3*

*Pavel Kubina left and came back

Those are hockey stats, it'd be interesting to have blogging stats, now wouldn't it? I must apologize because I can't easily find every time I've been mentioned on Puck Daddy, accurate visitor numbers for Raw Charge/Boltsmag combined, and exact number of stories I've written in that time (approximately 2230 - or 279 a season).

It would appear that the Tampa Bay Lightning's brief fling with success is over after this week.

The team slammed head first into its early season ways of giving up early goals, giving up leads, shaky defense, shakier goal tending, and just general mediocrity. And, in all reality, the excuse of playing two good teams is invalid. Good teams can find ways to play around good fundamentals, but they rarely can find ways to just flat eliminate good fundamentals. And there were certainly times this week that Bolts were playing non-fundamentally sound hockey that sometimes was just plain sloppy.

Not to mention the fact that before this week, the Lightning had registered points in seven straight games and were one of the hottest teams in the NHL. Seems safe to say that that seven-game streak was the aberration, not this week.

All was not lost though, as GM Steve Yzerman did come out and say that there were no offers out there that benefited the team in any way. Patience is a virtue folks. And as frustrating as this season as been - and as next year may be as well - if Stevie is successful in what he's trying to do, this team will be fun to watch until the time Dwayne Roloson has grandchildren. If he doesn't already.

After the fold: Super skate with the Canes; Marco Sturm is still alive; Knuble done with the Caps?; and the Jets are back in it. The week that was in the Southeast.

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(Editor's note: Promoted from the FanPosts)

As teams in the NHL begin serious pushes and posturing for playoff spots or tee times at their nearest golf course, focus begins to shift to the annual NHL Entry Draft. Recently, NHL Central Scouting released an updated ranking of the players eligible for this year’s draft, and three draft experts from NHL.com posted their mock draft results.

About the only players who are guaranteed to not be available at the Lightning’s current position are the top two players heading into this year’s draft, Nail Yakupov (RW, Sarnia [OHL]) and Ryan Murray (D, Everett [WHL]).

This short article is caveated with the understanding the draft position of the Lightning could change drastically up or down from their current position (#7).

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Dear Faculty,

It is the middle of the season and time once again for mid-semester progress reports. As you know, we have with us this year some new students. It is important that we evaluate their progress for our files.

Members of the "freshman class" of 2011-12 come to us from many different backgrounds. Six of them have also been affiliated with our sister institution, the Norfolk Admirals of the American Hockey League [Mike Angelidis, Pierre-Cedric Labrie, Evan Oberg, Trevor Smith, Dana Tyrell, and J.T. Wyman]. One was with us last season [Tyrell]. Two are transfer students [Oberg and Brendan Mikkelson]. One has been promoted from juniors [Brett Connolly].

Please let us know where these students currently stand. Information about how they complete their assignments will be added to their files for review at the end of the season.

Thank you,

[Very] Interim Dean of Questions of the Week,

CAustin

[Follow after the break for a peek at the students' files.]

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The Tampa Bay Lightning lost to the New York Rangers in overtime 4-3.

Shooting the puck seemed to have been a problem in this game. In the first period, the Lightning had four shots, and two of those were by Vincent Lecavalier - plus a post. (Posts don't count in shots on goal.) In the second it was better with ten shots, but then they had three shots in the third, and none in overtime.

Out of the total 17 shots on goal the Lightning had for the game, Lecavalier had five, Steven Stamkos had three, while Martin St. Louis didn't have any.

No shots in overtime? Really? How can you score a goal when you're not shooting?

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WHERE: Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York
WHEN: EST | | TICKETS: Check Availability
MEDIA: Sun Sports (cable), 970 WFLA (radio)
OPPONENT COVERAGE: Blueshirt Banter

The Tampa Bay Lightning get to experience the actually season of winter during the next three games - spent in the northeast US as the team visits the New York Rangers, Buffalo Sabres and Pittsburgh Penguins, respectively. The chill they feel isn't necessarily Jack Frost nipping at them, but the warmth of the season being whisked away.

Tuesday night's loss to the Los Angeles Kings put the hopeful Lightning back into the reality of the moment: The team is a far cry from the playoffs, and it's just a matter of time before the door to the 2012 NHL playoffs closes entirely for them. Sports Club Stats puts the Lightning's playoff chances down to 5.4% as of Wednesday night.

Tuesday night's loss wasn't a poorly played affair, however. That's reason to keep hopes up and expectations high. Sure, goaltending wasn't all that and the Lightning Power Play was a natural disaster all unto itself... But the rest of the game was an even matched affair with a non-conference opponent that could have gone either way. Jonathan Quick, the Kings goalie, proved why he's one of the league's best goalies this season, turning away the Lightning and their fast break attempts time and time again.

Goaltender Henrik Lundqvist will attempt to conjure up the same type of frustrations tonight for the Rangers. Hank's on top of the NHL in save percentage (.938) and has a Goals Against Average of 1.80. He's, like Quick, has six shutouts this season - leading the league in the category.

But it's not like the Lightning haven't solved him this season.

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