The Tampa Bay Lightning will wrap up their three-game road trip in Buffalo tonight. After dropping the first two games over the weekend, ending things with a win would be a nice boost heading into a five-game homestand that will close out the month of October.
The Bolts are 50-49-5-9 all time against the Sabres, one of just seven franchises they’ve posted 50 or more wins against (they’ve beaten Florida and Carolina the most times – 69). They are slightly below .500 at Key Bank Center with an all-time mark of 21-23-1-3. The Captain, Steven Stamkos, in particular enjoys seeing the Sabres on the other side of the ice as he has 22 goals in 49 career games against Buffalo. He also scored his first career goal at the Key Bank Center. Unfortunately, his participation in tonight’s contest is unknown at this time.
With a day off after a rough weekend, hopefully, the Lightning can string together three solid periods and get back to .500 before heading home.
Lightning / NHL News
Some more thoughts on the weekend [Raw Charge – subscription required]
There was some good and a little bad in their two losses. Nothing earth-shattering or permanently broken. They just have to be better.
Crunch Wrap – Two for Two [Raw Charge]
All is right in Syracuse where the Crunch took both of their games over the weekend. So far the goaltender situation is working out just fine.
Lightning allowing a lot of goals through 3 games [Tampa Bay Times]
Yeah, they’re going to want to stop doing that.
Block Party featuring Julien BriseBois [Tampa Bay Lightning]
The gentleman spoke with the GM prior to Opening Night.
Kirby Dach out long-term with significant injury [Eyes on the Prize]
The Canadiens can’t seem to catch a break with injuries. Young forward Kirby Dach is rumored to be out for a long time after sustaining a leg injury following a check by Jarrod Tinordi.
Fujimagari makes history [The Ice Garden]
Mariah Fujimagari stopped 14 shots for the Kalamazoo Wings in the third period and overtime during their final preseason contest against the Toledo Walleye. In doing so, she was credited with the win and became the first female goaltender to win an ECHL game. Congrats. She has a chance to become the first woman to play in a regular season ECHL game since old friend Manon Rheaume suited up for Tallahassee Tiger Sharks in 1995.
