Quick Strikes for Saturday, December 12

• Ben Bishop is and has been the rock for the Tampa Bay Lightning (with one of the best goals-against averages in the league. While the Bolts struggle offensively, Bish’s effort is why, in part, there’s still hope. [Tampa Bay Times]
• Speaking of goalies, perhaps sending Andrei Vasilevskiy to the Syracuse Crunch for some fine tuning isn’t such a bad thing? [Bolts by the Bay]
• A little reflection by one Mister Phil Esposito on the 25 years of the NHL in Tampa Bay. This comes a week after the 25^th anniversary of the NHL awarding Esposito and Tampa with a franchise that became the Lightning. [Tampa Bay Times]
• An assessment of the Stamkos situation. [Roar of Thunder]
• Enter to win a lunch with the Syracuse Crunch slated for February. You have until January 29 to enter. [Syracuse Crunch]
• Yet the club is struggling and coach Rob Zettler has put them through a punishing practice, while captain Mike Angelidis thinks more accountability is needed from the players. [Syracuse.com]
• All that comes on the heels of the Crunch being routed by the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins on Wednesday. [Syracuse.com]
• The Crunch also fell last night to the Albany Devils, 3-1 [Bolt Prospects]
• For Lightning/Crunch fans, the shopping days are counting down to a precious few. If you’re looking for a Lightning-themed or hockey-themed gift option – check out our custom apparel. Want to save a buck or two on a purchase? Order on Monday and use the code SBNFREESHIP at checkout to get free shipping. [Gameday Depot]
• Tis the season for good deeds and generosity: The Toronto Maple Leafs are helping out Habitat for Humanity. [Pension Plan Puppets]
• With all the focus on Steven Stamkos and his contract, the looming sell-off with the Carolina Hurricanes gets overlooked. Here’s discussion of where Eric Staal might land if and when he’s traded. [Canes and Coffee]
• Daniel and Henrik Sedin are playing their best hockey in years. Here are five reasons that support that decree. [Canuck’s Army]
• The Red Wings are flying high in the standings (16-9-5 and 2^nd place in the Atlantic Division) and getting a shot of pep and high level productivity from the third line. [Today’s Slapshot]
• Hearing about an NHL referee learning on the fly isn’t encouraging but the league’s first Russian referee? That storyline changes snap reactions a bit. [Sports Illustrated]
• We’ve got about 7 months before the 2016 NHL Entry Draft but that doesn’t mean you should turn your back when one of (if not the) top prospects for the draft, Auston Matthews, gets interviewed. [Eyes on the Prize]
• Jaromir Jagr reached a new goal milestone on Thursday with his tally against the Washington Capitals. [Litter Box Cats]
• The NWHL All Star draft had its story lines of shock, disappointment, and awe. [Today’s Slapshot]
• In more regular-season play, rule changes have been announced by the NWHL after an injury to Taylor Holze. [Today’s Slapshot]

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