“In my home!” Los Angeles Kings at Tampa Bay Lightning preview

Game Thirty-Four: Los Angeles Kings (14-10-9) at Tampa Bay Lightning (18-12-3)

Time: 7:00 PM EST

Location: Benchmark International Arena, Future site of new entertainment district

TV/Stream/Radio: The Spot, FDSNW, ESPN+, 102.5 FM, Lightning App

Odds: Lightning -192

Know the Opponents: Rink Royalty

For a younger generation, Al Pacino is the “Hoo-ah!” guy who has a tendency to switch between shouting and whispering his lines. For some, he’s become a caricature. However, in his prime, he was a fantastic actor oftentimes playing subtle and subdued characters. Case in point, most of his screen time as Michael Corleone in The Godfather movies. However, there are times that foreshadow a louder and more expressive Pacino. Case in point:

Why was he so angry at his trusted lieutenant Frank Pentangeli? Because of an assassination attempt that had just taken place in the one place that Corleone thought he, and his family could be safe, his home. The intrusion into that safe space rattled the normally calm and collected mobster and he failed to contain his rage [Look, if you haven’t watched these movies yet, I don’t know what to tell you, other than to stop what you’re doing and go watch them..JG]

What does this have to do with the Tampa Bay Lightning? Their own compound, their home arena, has not been the fortress that it has been in the past. Since they began their most recent of run of success beginning in the 2018-19 season no team has more home points than the Lightning’s 408. They are 192-67-24 over that span (Boston is second with 403 points, Carolina is second with 189 wins).

Yet this season, in the building where Thunderbug sleeps, and the team plays with their pucks, the Lightning are tied for 23rd in points percentage at .500 with an 8-8-0 record. In delving into the stats, they’ve been decidedly mediocre in most categories:

Yeah, that power play is dragging things down a bit.

Some of the underlying numbers, especially defensively are slightly more promising. The Bolts are second in scoring chances allowed and sixth in high-danger chances allowed, so it wouldn’t be surprising to see them move up in the goals-allowed category as the season wears on.

Lately they’ve been able to at least generate some chances on home ice, but have struggled to finish things off with a goal, and that’s part of the reason they’ve had just five goals in their last three home outings, all of which have ended in a loss.

Injuries have contributed to that without a doubt. Brayden Point missed action in the losses to the Penguins and Islanders while Nikita Kucherov was also out for the 2-0 loss to New York. Brandon Hagel missed most of the third period against the Panthers and is questionable for tonight after not practicing on Wednesday. And, of course, Andrei Vasilevskiy wasn’t in net for any of the games.

Hopefully, he is back tonight to give the Bolts the final line of defense that he often provides when things break down. There is a small chance that Ryan McDonagh makes his first appearance in more than a month which would provide a nice stabilizing presence in a make-shift defense that might finally be showing some cracks.

Whatever the causes may be, the Lightning do have to find a way to start picking up points at home. Every point is going to be precious this season, and they have to start piling them up at home if they want to win this division.

Unfortunately, tonight’s opponent, despite playing last night in Sunrise, isn’t going to be an easy mark. The Los Angeles Kings are 10-4-5 away from their home ice and play a tight brand of defense that doesn’t allow for a lot of offense. They are allowing just 23.92 scoring chances against at 5v5 on the road and their 2.38 XGA/60 is the fifth-best mark in the league.

Now, that being said, if the Lightning are able to get some shots on goal, they will be testing a goaltender who hasn’t had a lot of work in the NHL. With Darcy Kuemper on IR following a blow to the head, and Anton Forsberg having taken the loss against the Panthers on Wednesday, old friend Pheonix Copley is in line for a start. Remember when he was a Bolt? Those were good times.

As for the injuries on the Lightning. Ryan McDonagh skated at practice and appears to be a game-day decision. The same goes for Vasilevskiy. Hagel was designated as “day-to-day” by the coaching staff. With no recalls this morning, there is a good chance that Vasilevskiy will be back in the line-up. Jonas Johansson did skate around during the optional morning practice on Thursday, so that is a good indication that Vasilevskiy is penciled in as the starter.

No matter who is in net, the Lightning have to find a way to defend their house a little better and snap this losing streak.

FYI – Your friendly neighborhood managing editor will be at the game tonight, so the recap will be a bit late.

Potential Lines

Tampa Bay Lightning

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Los Angeles Kings

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