"Painful" loss

No one hate me for this, but in a way, this was a moral victory.

No Boyle. No Modin. Without Sydor for a period. Without Kubina for 2 periods. The Lightning were playing heavy defense against one of the top teams in the NHL and the difference maker was Mark Recchi's 5-on-3 Power Play goal in the 2nd.

Though there were several onslaughts on both goaltenders, I thought both Grahame and Gerber (especially Gerber though) went unchallenged tonight...

This is a big loss (considering what I said in an earlier post -- the Habs tying New Jersey in the standings) but the implications may be broader if the Lightning are nwo without Kubina for an extended period of time.

2-1 the final in Raleigh. The Bolts will likely recall another body from Springfield and make a demotion as well. Expect Gerard Dicaire to appear on the roster if that is indeed the case.