Christmas is long since gone. The All-Star Break is in the rear-view mirror. All across two countries, NHL players have sadly boarded planes that took off from warm climates to travel back to the cold and gray cities they call home for the season. It’s time to get back to work, and that work is securing a spot in the NHL playoffs.
The Colorado Avalanche head to the Big Apple to take on the Rangers and while the Islanders are in Toronto as the NHL resumes it season. The Tampa Bay Lightning, currently in third place in the Atlantic Division, have a couple of more days off as they don’t play again until Wednesday. They will kick off a four-game road trip that begins against the Rangers and ends with Bruins. Hopefully, they can pick up where they left off as the month of February will present some challenges for them.
More Hockey News
A high-danger move? Lightning’s defensive zone changes net rewards [Tampa Bay Times]
Coach Cooper has been oddly…defensive about his defensive schemes this year. He’s brushed off question after question about the Lightning adjusting to a new system, but it looks like things are starting to work out a bit as the high-danger chances they’re allowing are going down.
Kucherov embraces role as crowd rival at the All-Star Game [NHL.com]
Team Hughes lost 6-5 in a shootout to the eventual overall winners, Team Matthews. While he didn’t get to share in a $1 million, Nikita Kucherov insists he had fun. He ended up with a goal and an assist, but failed to convert his attempt in the shootout as Igor Shesterkin made the save. After the game, Kucherov told the media, that even with crowd booing him, he had a good time.
It looks like there was an impromptu Tampa Bay Lightning reunion in Grand Cayman over the All-Star Break. Victor Hedman joined Tyler Johnson, Ondrej Palat, Ryan McDonagh, Steven Stamkos, and Pat Maroon on the beach (scroll through the photos).
2024 Trade Deadline: 10 Prospects who could be on the move [Daily Faceoff]
No mention of Isaac Howard or Dylan Duke, which is nice. Not sure what else the Lightning have in the cupboards to trade, though.
Kucherov All-Star Jersey raffle [Tampa Bay Lightning]
Want a very weird-looking all-star jersey? Download the Lightning app and you have a chance to win one!
Syracuse Speaks: The Crunch at the Break [Twitter]
Auntie Alex is back with another episode of Syracuse Speaks. She catches everyone up on the Crunch as they take their very short all-star break.
Perry deadline to file grievance extended [Chicago Sun-Times]
Corey Perry’s deadline to file a grievance against the Chicago Blackhawks in regards to the termination of his contract has been extended. Chances are the extension gives the two sides a chance to work out a settlement without this having to go through the process. Perry has since returned to the ice with the Edmonton Oilers.
Pens sign Jesse Puljujarvi to two-year deal [PensBurgh]
It’s been a nice little comeback for the former first-round pick. Drafted fourth overall in 2016, he never quite lived up to the hype in Edmonton and was traded to Carolina. Following double-hip surgery, he signed a PTO with the Penguins prior to this season and was playing in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton where he put up 9 points (4 goals, 5 assists) in 13 games.
Western Conference takes the AHL All-Stars Skills competition [The AHL]
Jack Thompson and Gage Goncalves took part in the skills competition, but couldn’t lead their team to victory. Sill, it looks like they had fun. The All-Star 3-on-3 round robin tournament takes place tonight.
