More photos » Matt York - AP

Browse more photos »

WHERE: St. Pete Times Forum, Tampa, Florida
WHEN: 7:30 PM EDT
MEDIA: Sun Sports (cable), 620 WDAE (radio)
OPPONENT COVERAGE: Five for Howling

The Bolts square off against another formidable divisional force tonight, one that has taken the league by surprise because of the summer drama tied to the franchise.  It's the Phoenix Coyotes.  

It's a scheduling anomaly rematch between the two clubs, who already faced off once this season, played in Glendale with the Lightning winning that one 4-1, and the Coyotes own fortunes can appear to be an anomaly as well.  The team has 89 points after their dreadful Blackberry-inspired drama.  Ice Edge Holdings still has not finalized the purchase of the team from the NHL, though they did recently send out a letter to re-assure fans it would happen...

Oh, and Dave Tippett should win the Jack Adams, hands down.  89 points achieved for the first-year coach, with all the drama and sideshow tied to the team...  The only way he shouldn't be the top candidate for the coach-of-the-year award is in teh tin-foil-hat community who sees it as a NHL-owned-franchise-Employee-of-the-year award instead of awarding the truly best coach.

Continue reading this post »

WHERE:  St. Pete Times Forum, Tampa, Florida
WHEN:  5 PM EDT
MEDIA:  Sun Sports (cable), 620 WDAE (radio)
OPPONENT COVERAGE:  Pensburgh, From The Point

The Bolt, are trying to keep their playoff hopes alive and have kept pace in the east East with Friday's remarkable win against the Washingotn Capitals.  "Remarkable" because the team did it while playing the second of back-to-back games, and while the team was without the likes of Mattias Ohlund and Ryan Malone.

Oh, yeah, and they took on the current beast-of-the-East, the Washingotn Capitals, and came out with two points after they fell to the likes of the Toronto Maple Leafs (the least-of-the-East) the night before.

And now the Lightning face the Eastern Conference's second ranked team, the reigning Stanley Cup champion Pittsburgh Penguins.  The Lightning need to keep their game raised in this afternoon's battle - on par and above their Friday night effort...  And they need to find more consistency in keeping that level of play through the last month of the regular season.

Continue reading this post »

More photos » Luis Alvarez - AP

Browse more photos »

WHERE:Verizon Center, Washington, District of Columbia
WHEN: 7 PM EST
MEDIA:Sun Sports (cable), 620 WDAE (radio)
OPPONENT COVERAGE: Japers Rink

It's all 19.

It's easy to get lost in the fading playoff chances for the Bolts, it's easy to get disappointed at the conclusion of the season.  Lets forget about that for a second and rally around the high of the moment.

It's all what-could-be 19.

When compared to the records in NHL history, it's only nineteen, but it's still the grandest point streak in Lightning team history.  Steven Stamkos has been a machine in notching points for eighteen consecutive games.   He goes for nineteen tonight in Washington DC as the Bolts take on the Caps in the finale of a disappointing road swing through the great white north.  

Continue reading this post »

More photos » Chris O'Meara - AP

Steven Stamkos takes his 17 game scoring streak into Toronto tonight. During that span, Stamkos has scored 16 goals and 15 assists. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

Browse more photos »

WHERE:  Air Canada Center (ACC), Toronto, Ontario
WHEN:  7 PM EST
MEDIA:  Sun Sports (cable), 620 WDAE (radio)
OPPONENT COVERAGE:  Pension Plan Puppets

Before we even get into tonight's game, there was a lot of talk yesterday stemming from the NHL GM meetings and further fallout from the Matt Cooke-on-Marc-Savard hit.  Vincent Lecavalier and Martin St. Louis both had choice words over the incident and how Colin Campbell failed to react (no suspension for the sake of (in)consistency).  

All of that being said, Mike Chen at From the Rink has an excellent comparing hits and suspensions that have been levied.  Inconsistent remains the standard in the NHL -- as what the General Managers recommended likely will not be enforced by Campbell.  That's just how ineffective he has been with rule enforcement throughout his tenure.

Below the jump, we'll fly back to Lightning Land and shed a bit more focus on tonight's game.

Continue reading this post »

More photos » Chris O'Meara - AP

11 days ago: Tampa Bay Lightning left winger Martin St. Louis (26) covers his face after a hard check by the Atlanta Thrashers during the third period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, March 6, 2010, in Tampa, Fla. St. Louis left the game. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

Browse more photos »

WHERE: Bell Centre, Montreal, Quebec
WHEN: 7:30 PM EST
MEDIA: Sun Sports (cable), 620 WDAE (radio)
OPPONENT COVERAGE: Habs Eyes on the Prize, Habs Blog

It's not as if the Lightning need to be reminded tonight's matchup is a must-win, as it's a truth that is hanging over every game the team plays form this point on in the season.

But I'm saying it anyway:  Tonight is a must-win for the Lightning.  Montreal is all of five points in front of the Bolts in the Eastern Conference playoff race.  To make that lead into seven points would be effectively shutting the door on attempting to get back into the playoff race.m  Indeed, anyone approaching the race as wide-open are forgetting that the window of opportunity is closing.  

With every win by the Canadiens, Bruins, Rangers and Thrashers, the Lightning are forced to win or fall back in the standings.  And every time they lose to these opponents, it doubly hurts their chances.

It's even become morally imperative that the team does not go to overtime in tonight's matchup.  Giving a point to the Habs would be to allow them to keep pace in the East.  If the Lightning want to make the playoffs, their cause is int he Win column, the regulation win column at that.  There have been no more moral victories to be had this season.  It's only absolutes of win-or-lose.

Continue reading this post »

Teddy Purcell talks to reporters in the locker room after morning practice (photo via @tblightning)

View full size photo »

WHERE: Verizon Center, Washington D.C.
WHEN: 7 PM EST
MEDIA: Sun Sports (Cable), 620 WDAE (radio)
OPPONENT COVERAGE: Japers' Rink

20 games left.  Other teams in front are gaining points, other teams behind are gaining points.

And the Lightning are treading water.

The next round of the growing hate-fest between the Lightning and the Washington Capitals is tonight, with the Bolts reeling from both a 7-2 drubbing at the hands of the Philadelphia Flyers, as well as the loss of teammate Jeff Halpern via trade, you got to wonder just how ugly this is going to get tonight.

Continue reading this post »

More photos » Paul J. Bereswill - AP

Browse more photos »

WHERE: St. Pete Times Forum, Tampa, Florida
WHEN: 7:30 PM EST
MEDIA: Versus (Cable), 620 WDAE (radio)
OPPONENT COVERAGE: Broad Street Hockey

So, where were we?  

Ah yes...  Three straight losses at the hands of eastern conference opponents.  All of this after a lengthy winning trend in inter-conference and divisional play.  

You've had a fortnight to forget about the crash-and-burn weekend that segued into the Olympic break.  You've had two weeks to forget about just about everything Lightning related for that matters...  Except the fact the Bolts were coming back to town sometime soon.

Folks?  It's here.  It's now.  We return you to your regularly scheduled hockey league.

Continue reading this post »

WHERE: Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Uniondale, New York
WHEN: 2 PM EST
MEDIA: Sun Sports (cable), 620 WDAE (radio)
OPPONENT COVERAGE: Lighthouse Hockey, NYI Point Blank

Two vital contests remain before the Olympic break sets in for the Lightning, against two teams still vying for a playoff slot int he East and still in contention:  The New York Islanders and the New York Rangers.

After Thursday night's showing against the Bruins -- where the Lightning knew they were in a must-win situation and came out flat and listless, only getting into gear in the third period -- Tampa Bay needs to approach this matinee with energy from start to finish instead of being comfortable with playing catchup.

Of course, in most any other game, the Bolts four unanswered goals (while they were playing catchup) would be sure victory...  But the absolute truth is you need to limit opportunities for opponents, and you cannot get caught with yoru pants down on defense.  Antero Niittymaki may have been pulled from this contest, but the failing was not his primarily - it was the defense, and the lack there-of.

Continue reading this post »