ICYMI
This goal is NOT of this world. #STLvsTBL pic.twitter.com/b0jCz9Uxje
— Tampa Bay Lightning (@TBLightning) December 23, 2016
Even his empty-netters are beautiful. #STLvsTBL pic.twitter.com/avzF4TPsaV
— Tampa Bay Lightning (@TBLightning) December 23, 2016
Lightning rally to beat Blues 5-2
Tampa Bay Lightning have recalled seven different players in 11 days
Lightning prospects lead way for Team Canada ahead of 2017 World Juniors
The Bolts
On this day in 2002, Dave Andreychuk set an NHL record with his 250th power play goal. He is still the league’s all-time leader with 274 ⚡️ pic.twitter.com/DdqMIV92FI
— Mike Commito (@mikecommito) November 15, 2016
Tampa Bay Lightning forward J.T. Brown is helping bring at-risk kids onto the ice. “It’s a good thing to have somebody of color out there and let them relate to it,” he said. “Growing up, you didn’t have very many African-Americans playing. I was usually one of the only ones on the team, if not the only one, so it’s definitely good to be able to show those kids that they can play hockey.” [ESPN]
The NHL’s best Christmas moments. “Although it will be 45 years since he made his NHL debut on Christmas night, O’Flaherty still works in the hockey industry as a professional scout for the Tampa Bay Lightning.” [Vice Sports]
Lightning comes back to top Blues. “With six of the 12 regular forwards out due to injuries or illness, several callups from AHL Syracuse had to step in against the Blues. It got to the point where defenseman Nikita Nesterov played wing (and was outstanding).” [Tampa Bay Times]
Depleted Lightning rally to zap Blues. “Blues goalie Jake Allen allowed four goals on 31 shots and left the game after being shaken up on the fourth goal. The club said afterward that he would be OK.” [St. Louis Dispatch]
Tampa Bay Lightning Win 2nd Straight Game With Victory Over St. Louis Blues. “Things kicked into action just before the halfway point in the second period when Brian Boyle, who has one of the hottest sticks on the team as of late, would deflect the puck past Allen for his eighth goal of the season.” [Bolts by the Bay/Fox Sports]
Caps Come Back Home to Host Bolts. “The Caps come into Friday’s game having lost their last two games (0-1-1), but they’re also 6-1-1 in their last eight. In the ultra competitive Metropolitan Division however, claiming just one of four possible points in a two-game span can lose a team a chunk of ground in the standings.” [Dump n Chase]
Game Preview: Caps Host Lightning Before the Christmas Break. “The Lightning are fourth in the Atlantic Division with 37 points, sporting a 17-14-3 mark. They are five points behind the Caps for the second and final Wild Card spot.” [Nova]
The League
Our prospect writer Tom Hunter on trading JvR: “I understand why people would want to move JVR, he’s going to be 29-years old when he needs a new contract in the summer of 2018 and while that’s not exactly over the hill, it’s definitely on the wrong side of an NHL player’s prime.” [Blogger’s Tribune]
What it’s like to face shots from Alex Ovechkin. “Hard shots or not hard shots?” Washington Capitals sniper Alex Ovechkin asked. [USA Today]
This is the kind of article that jinxes the league for the rest of the season: NHL players becoming more adept at avoiding suspensions, fines. [USA Today]
Down Goes Brown: Handing out Western Conference trade grades for 2016. “The art of the deal has been disappearing from NHL front offices for years now, for a variety of reasons. But trades do still happen, even if they’re less frequent and have less impact. So with New Year’s approaching, now seems like a good time to look back at all the deals made in 2016 and hand out grades to all 30 NHL teams.” [Sportsnet]
WJC
Let’s not forget about our young Bolt playing for Team Czech, Libor Hajek!
WJC preview: Team Czech. This piece is all about Red Wings prospect Filip Hronek. “Here it’s a physical game,” Hronek said. “It’s a small rink and it’s very fast. In Czech, it’s a little slower.” [The Hockey News]
Headline speaks volumes: 2017 World Juniors: Team USA just cut one of their best players and you should be mad again. [SB Nation]
#WJCMemories | Day 37/41: #TeamCanada’s @MathJoseph7 currently stands at 6’1”. He was much shorter when his #WorldJuniors journey began. pic.twitter.com/oj1Yxtbt7r
— Hockey Canada (@HockeyCanada) December 21, 2016
