Quick Strikes for Saturday, April 11

Discussion fodder for this evening’s game at the Amalie: if the Boston Bruins go to overtime with the Tampa Bay Lightning… Could they be desperate enough for that win to pull the goalie and skate 5v4? No one’s done that before in NHL history. [Reddit.com]
Just how much space on ice does Steven Stamkos need to light the lamp? Not much. [NHL.com]
Craig Custance did a feature on center Tyler Johnson and his path to the NHL (fair warning, auto play video attached to the story). [ESPN]
A little more than five years ago, The Hockey News’ Ken Campbell wrote then-looming Bolts owner Jeff Vinik was a forthcoming fly-by-night who was bad for the league. Five years later, Jeff Vinik’s fantastic management of the Lightning goes beyond the ice. It’s felt by his employees at 401 Channelside Drive. [Tampabay.com]
Wednesday night in central New York was the Syracuse Crunch’s “At Your Service” charity fundraising event. I’ll let the article and the attached video do the talking on what hilarity transpired. [The Post-Standard]
Thursday the Lightning added 2014 7^th round draft selection Cameron Darcy to the 50 man roster, inking him to his 3-year entry level contract. Darcy also signed an amateur try out with the Syracuse Crunch. Chad Schnarr gave a little perspective on Darcy and what he brings. [Bolt Prospects]
Meanwhile, Lindsay Kramer talked to Darcy first hand and heard about how getting traded in the QMJHL this season jump-started his productivity on ice. [The Post-Standard]
Former Bolt Radko Gudas, recovering from knee surgery in January, took his first skate with other members of the Philadelphia Flyers on Thursday. [Philly.com]
Long time fans might wonder what happened to forward Vaclav Prospal. Vinny retired from hockey a few years ago but it’s not like he’s gone from the sport. No, he’s helping the Tampa Scorpions U-14 and U-16 teams win national championships. [Tampabay.com]
Boston’s annual Beanpot Classic tournament is going on a little trip in 2016. The tournament of Boston-area based collegiate hockey teams will be hopping the pond and will take place in Belfast, Ireland in 2016. [SBN College Hockey]
Staying on the subject matter of college and Boston, Jack Eichel shocked absolutely no one by winning the Hobey Baker Award. Eichel, a freshman at Boston University, had 26 goals and 44 assists in 39 games this season. [SBN College Hockey]
The Pittsburgh Penguins had a big game last night versus the New York Islanders… and fell. They’re a single point in front of Boston for the final wild card spot in the Eastern Conference at the moment. [Pensburgh]
And Kris Letang ist kaput for the season according to Pens GM Jim Rutherford. [Pensburgh]
Carey Price has had himself a great season and his name has been attached to the Hart Trophy, the NHL MVP award. That’s led to a bit of debate. Just when should a goalie win the Hart? [In Goal Magazine]
The NHL does not want Commissioner Gary Bettman to testify during court hearings regarding a lawsuit brought on by concussions in the league. I’ll plead the Fifth Amendment in why the league is trying to stop Gary when he can do the very same thing on the stand. Yes, it’s in a US court. [TSN.ca]

Talking Points