Lightning Round: Midnight hockey and losses all around

Last night wasn’t the best for the teams in the Tampa Bay Lightning organization. It all started with the Lightning losing to the Carolina Hurricanes in the first of four consecutive games between those teams over the next six days [Raw Charge]

After a last-minute change in their schedule, the Tampa Bay Lightning went to Raleigh a couple of days earlier than initially expected. The Carolina Hurricanes, despite playing a game on Friday night, still looked more fresh than the Lightning as they shut them out for the second time this season, 4-0.

For the second time this season, the Lightning couldn’t score a single goal against the Canes. In the first meeting it was Petr Mrazek shutting them out. This time it was Alex Nedeljkovic, who made 24 saves and recorded his first career shutout in the NHL.

With this loss, the Lightning dropped to fourth place in the Central Division, however they have played four fewer games than the Chicago Blackhawks, who are in third place currently. By point percentage, the Lightning are third, trailing only Carolina and Florida.

The Syracuse Crunch continued their unlucky streak and recorded their fifth loss in six games since the start of the season. In Saturday's game against the Rochester Americans, the Crunch tied the game after trailing by two goals in the second period, but fell after allowing a goal in the third period.

The Orlando Solar Bears were defeated by the Florida Everblades for the third time in a row. This game wasn’t as close as two previous ones, as the Solar Bears lost 4-1. Jake Coughler scored the only goal for Orlando. The team is currently in fourth place in the Eastern Conference.

Hockey News

Unexpected weather conditions intervened during an outdoor game at Lake Tahoe. The NHL had to postpone the start of the second period of the game due to poor ice conditions caused by the NHL's sworn enemy, the sun. The game was restarted at midnight east coast time and the Colorado Avalanche defeated the Vegas Golden Knights, 3-2.

Unfortunately, the scenes from the midnight game weren’t as photogenic as they were by daylight.

The NHL has also moved the start of tonight’s outdoor game between the Philadelphia Flyers and the Boston Bruins to 7:30 p.m. ET to avoid the same issues.

SIdney Crosby played in his 1000th regular season game in the NHL.

The Anaheim Ducks put Adam Henrique on waivers. The 31-year old forward has a 5,825,000 AAV and three more seasons under his contract.

Nico Hischier has been named the new captain of the New Jersey Devils.

Apparently, Mike Babcock will be hired as the new coach of the University of Saskatchewan Huskies next week.