Good morning, #Bolts fans ⚡️ pic.twitter.com/n0h1YdsJaX
— Tampa Bay Lightning (@TBLightning) October 10, 2017
The Bolts
Where should Mikhail Sergachev play this season? @loserpoints weighs the risks and rewards for each path the Tampa Bay Lightning can take with Serg. “This isn’t one of those articles with a nice clean conclusion. Decisions like this are messy and the goal here is to understand the problem as best we can and make the best decision we can.” [Raw Charge]
Coach Jon Cooper spoke to the media after a tuesday practice. He spoke glowingly of Brayden Point and how he has led the charge (#PointPun) for the Bolts so far this season. It’s clear that excelling in puck possession, winning puck battles no matter the situation, and chemistry with elite players (Nikita Kucherov, Mitch Marner, etc.) have been what has made Point special.
Brayden Point has been the talk of the town recently for his hard work and luck. “The 5-foot-10 Point leads the team with seven points and is tied with Kucherov with a team-high three goals — one in each game… ‘He has great awareness. The puck follows him around the ice.’” – Alex Killorn of Point. [Tampa Bay Times]
Tampa Bay Lightning founder and over-all wonderful person Phil Esposito takes us back 25 years to the beginning of the Lightning. Grab some popcorn, sit back and enjoy Mr. Esposito, who is an amazing story-teller, tell some amazing stories. [Viktre] [Twitter]
Check out some of the best home openers in Lightning history!
With this year’s in the books, @caleychelios and @bburnsnhl took a look back at some of the most memorable home openers in #Bolts history. pic.twitter.com/xKh718tNJn
— Tampa Bay Lightning (@TBLightning) October 10, 2017
The Prospects
Our resident senior junior-hockey analyst @ElSeldo spoke with Lightning prospect and Erie Otters forward Taylor Raddysh about NHL training camp, what the Lightning have been doing to help him improve, and his junior career. On having a short offseason: “It’s fine, it’s what you want right? I kept busy and worked out a lot so I don’t think it will hurt”. [Raw Charge]
The Syracuse Crunch reflect on the week that was and preview the upcoming games for the team. “Rookie forward Mitchell Stephens is the only Crunch player with points in each of the first two games to open the 2017-18 season. Tampa Bay’s second round pick in the 2015 NHL Draft scored the Crunch’s season-opening goal Friday in Rochester.” [Syracuse Crunch]
The Game
It was a pretty significant Knight for Vegas. They played a game on home ice for the first time in club history, they helped the city heal after a tragic attack, and they won the game, moving to 3-0-0 on the season!
“The Vegas Golden Knights had done everything right to honour and tribute the many people affected by the atrocious events that took place in this city just nine days ago, and then Deryk Engelland removed his right glove, took hold of a microphone, and he skated to centre ice.” [Sportsnet]
“Like all of you, I’m proud to call Las Vegas home,” the 35-year-old said, with an even tone. Engelland knows this city better than any member of this team, having played a couple seasons for the ECHL’s Las Vegas Wranglers more than a decade ago.
“I met my wife here, my kids are born here, and I know how special this city is,” Engelland continued. “To all the brave first responders that have worked tirelessly … we thank you.”
“To the families and friends of the victims, know that we’ll do everything we can to help you and our city heal,” Engelland said. “We are Vegas Strong.”
“But something strange happened after the tear-jerking opening ceremony. The mood in the arena went from mournful to downright rabid in a matter of seconds. The fans were ready for some hockey. And, by God, so were the Golden Knights.” [Knights on Ice]
This brings us to the Highlight of the (K)night: (you guys and gals are definitely going to get really sick of me and these jokes very soon I imagine) Brendan Leipsic shows off his slinky-like flexibility, tenacity, and edge work… Oh and reveals that he has eyes in the back of his head! It don’t even remember who scored the goal, it really doesn’t matter, if we’re being honest with each other. Anyway, enjoy:
Beautiful goal by Oscar Lindberg, BUT DID YOU SEE THAT PASS FROM LEIPSIC???? pic.twitter.com/PCUkcqtLUs
— Ryan Quigley (@RP_Quigs) October 11, 2017
The Pittsburgh Penguins visited the White House yesterday. “The Penguins had one black player on their championship team, Trevor Daley, but he signed with Detroit in the offseason and did not travel to Washington because the Red Wings were playing in Dallas. They currently have one black player, Ryan Reaves, but he and others acquired over the summer who didn’t win the Cup also did not go to the White House.” [CBC]
