WHERE: Tampa Bay Times Forum, Tampa, Florida
WHEN: 7:30 PM EST | | TICKETS: Check Availability
MEDIA: Sun Sports (cable), 970 WFLA (radio)
OPPONENT COVERAGE: Anaheim Calling

In two consecutive off-seasons, the Tampa Bay Lightning signed a goalie with the intention of said free-agent netminder sharing responsibilities with an established goalie that was already on the roster. In 2010, the signing was Dan Ellis. In 2011, the signing was Mathieu Garon.

The similarities seem to start differentiating from that point forward: Ellis, the outspoken "specialist" of a goaltender, shared starting duties with Mike Smith and ... well, both goalies failed to establish themselves as legitimate netminders. Ellis' save percentage (.889) and goals-against average (2.93) were disappointing at best. With the tandem of Smith/Ellis so befuddling, the Bolts acquired Dwayne Roloson to bring some consistency to the crease. This ultimately led to Ellis being unloaded via trade to the Anaheim Ducks.

Mathieu Garon took a much different path after being signed to back up Roloson in Tampa. The plan was for Roloson to get the majority of the starts, with Garon lightening the load for the veteran netminder.... Yet, even the best laid plans sometimes get changed, and roles sometimes get reversed. It's Garon who has been the Lightning's #1 netminder this season, with Roloson replacing him in the lineup from time to time. While the Garon/Roloson tandem has been unsound at times, Garon's 2.83 GAA and .903 save percentage in 41 games this season show (statistically) that he's trumped what Dan Ellis accomplished in Tampa... Behind what could be argued as a weaker lineup.

Garon starts in net tonight for the Lightning while Ellis is out of the Anaheim lineup with a torn groin. He had only 10 appearances this season prior to his January injury.

Continue reading this post »

WHERE: Tampa Bay Times Forum, Tampa, Florida
WHEN: 7 PM EST | | TICKETS: Check Availability
MEDIA: Sun Sports (cable), 970 WFLA (radio)
OPPONENT COVERAGE: Japers' Rink, Rock the Red, Kings of Leonsis

It's volatile right now. Don't look at the Lightning specifically when you read that, look at the Eastern Conference. Look at the Southeast Division. All of two points separate the Southeast leading Florida Panthers and second place Washington Capitals. All of two points. And, thus, all of two points separates the #3 seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs and being out of the post-season picture entirely.

You've got to think the Capitals are riding a high right now, after beating the Panthers in Sunrise last night (2-1 the final there). It was a must-win game for both teams - for Florida to pad their division lead and push Washington away from its heels, and for the Caps to stay in contention. The Caps did what they had to do with the victory, but now they face the crux of the second-half of back-to-back games, traveling to Times Palace tonight to square off with the Lightning.

Continue reading this post »

WHERE: Tampa Bay Times Forum, Tampa, Florida
WHEN: EST | | TICKETS: Check Availability
MEDIA: Sun Sports (cable), 970 WFLA (radio)
OPPONENT COVERAGE: Fear the Fin, Sharkspage, Battle of California

This morning's news that defenseman Pavel Kubina is on his way out of Tampa Bay started the feeding frenzy of the 2012 NHL trade deadline. The annual NHL trade deadline, February 27^th at 3 PM EST, is always preceded by both wild speculation that gives way to thoughtful, meaningful moves that underwhelm fans but bolster teams in contention and in rebuilding mode.

Buyers and that last piece of the puzzle for their playoff pushes, sellers want to retool for next season and beyond.

...And the Tampa Bay Lightning has now quantified themselves as "sellers". Come calling with prospects and draft picks, and GM Steve Yzerman will listen.

After the schooling of the Bolts by the Ottawa Senators on Tuesday, it shouldn't have been a stretch for Lightning brass to concede to the inconsistency of the season - one night, the Lightning show the greatness they are capable of, the next night they are road-kill to a random opponent - and make plans for next season. Then again, that decision may have been made weeks ago - but were simply delayed until the string played out and the deadline got closer.

Yzerman on this morning's Kubina news:

"We're making our decisions on a player-by-player basis," Yzerman said. "We see a potential opportunity to improve our club. In regards to Pavel, and as far as any other players or any other opportunity, there's the broader strategy of wanting to be a better team in the future, so we'll look at any opportunity to become that."

Whatever the case, Kubina will not play tonight.

The Bolts head into "Star Wars Night" at Times Palace (not that it's been promoted heavily, but it is indeed a Star Wars themed night at the arena) licking their wounds from Tuesday's drubbing from Ottawa. They may have the memory of a drubbing they received at the hands of the San Jose Sharks on their mind. The Sharks pounded the Lightning on December 21^st (in Martin St. Louis' first game back after taking a puck to the face).

This time around, the Sharks aren't just the road team; they're amid an epic trek across North America that will take them to nine different cities over a two-week span. They're play the first of back-to-back games tonight (facing the Bolts, and then traveling up to Raleigh to square off with the Hurricanes tomorrow). But much like their predatory namesake, San Jose is a fierce creature. The Sharks are the #3 seed in the Western Conference at the moment with 68 points.

Continue reading this post »

WHERE: Tampa Bay Times Forum, Tampa, Florida
WHEN: EST | | TICKETS: Check Availability
MEDIA: Sun Sports (cable), 970 WFLA (radio)
OPPONENT COVERAGE: Silver Seven Sens

It's close to game time, so let me throw out some basics for you: Ryan Malone is back in the Tampa Bay lineup tonight in this earlier-than-usual-for-a-midweek-night game. Mathieu "NON!" Garon will be between the pipes for the Bolts as well. Marc-Andre Bergeron and Matt Gilroy are expected to be scratched - with a forward to be named later also getting to sit this one out (because of Malone's return).

The Ottawa Senators are on a 3-7-2 skid in the past 12, they've had the weekend off though while Tampa Bay has been on their northeast road swing. Ottawa will be looking to get back on track while Tampa Bay... Well, the Bolts cling to their scant playoff chances. The Bolts must win 19 of their remaining games to have a shot at all.

Don't expect our old friend Zenon Konopka in the Ottawa lineup tonight. It would be more interesting if Zeke were playing - especially if Pierre Cedric Labrie were in Tampa Bay at the time. He's not. So we're not missing anything tonight.

Craig Anderson will likely start in net for Ottawa.

Other Previews

Tampa Bay Lightning official team preview

Lightning Hockey Blog

Tampa Bay Times

Full game coverage on SB Nation

Tickets

Check Availability

WHERE: Consol Energy Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
WHEN: 7 PM EST | | TICKETS: Check Availability
MEDIA: Sun Sports (cable), 970 WFLA (radio)
OPPONENT COVERAGE: Pensburgh, The Pensblog

You ever wonder what players go through during back-to-back road games? It's not exactly something to romanticize about - having to leave one city late at night, arriving at the hotel elsewhere in the wee, small hours of the morning for a game later that day. You may get to take a nap on the plane during the journey, and of course the physical exhaustion from playing a hockey game may offset being wired from all the travel, the check-ins and check-outs, etc.

May. Not will.

The Pittsburgh Penguins played last night. After defeating the former-Atlanta Thrashers franchise, they had the luxury of going home and sleeping in their own beds (not to mention the creature comforts such as family, or even just being able to have a meal in peace). The Tampa Bay Lightning, on the other hand, had to make the sojourn between Buffalo, New York and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The trip isn't as annoying, nor as epic, as the Ottawa-to-Long Island, New York trip that the Bolts had to make between back-to-back games (having to go through customs, early in the morning, is a pleasure I don't even want to think about)... Yet it's still an extra physical taxation on the team that you don't want them to suffer before a battle with a squad of the Penguins caliber.

Everyone's twisted around, just ask Brendan Mikkelson (who suddenly plays for the New York Rangers) Its the flip side of back-to-back games for both clubs. Who has enough gas left in the tank after playing last night?

Continue reading this post »

WHERE: First Niagara Center, Buffalo, New York
WHEN: 7 PM EST | | TICKETS: Check Availability
MEDIA: Sun Sports (cable), 970 WFLA (radio)
OPPONENT COVERAGE: Die by the Blade

Last time the Tampa Bay Lightning and Buffalo Sabres squared off, the teams played back-to-back, home-and-home games a few days apart - with Tampa Bay sweeping the series in inspiring fashion. The season was young at the time, and while Buffalo had been strong early on - they started to fall back to earth with those losses.

Now? Both teams are mired outside the playoffs, with two points separating the clubs in the conference standings (54 points for Buffalo, 52 for Tampa Bay). Both teams have found success of late, with the Bolts going 6-2-2 and the Sabres going 5-4-1 in their past ten games each.

But here's the rub: The Sabres played last night, going to the shootout in their win against the Dallas Stars, while the Lightning will play again tomorrow night against the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Can the Bolts take advantage of a team playing their second game in a row? And will they be able to overcome that stigma tomorrow against the Pens? We'll find out soon enough.

Continue reading this post »

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.

Continue reading this post »