The Bolts
Tonight, the Tampa Bay Lightning plays its second preseason game against the Carolina Hurricanes at PNC Arena. We’ll update this with a list of players likely to hit the ice when they are announced later today.
Edit: And here it is!
#tblightning game group for tonight in Carolina. Sergachev makes debut, Point, Dotchin, Koekkoek. Budaj. pic.twitter.com/z8a9otZEC4
— Joe Smith (@TBTimes_JSmith) September 20, 2017
Yesterday, there was a steep learning curve in the first preseason game for the Tampa Bay Lightning. “During the post game press conference Coach Cooper stated, ‘There’s 30 minutes of special teams. I don’t think that’s what’s intended.’ and he’s right.” They lost 2-1 to the Carolina Hurricanes. [Raw Charge]
Better late than never to review the rules for preseason hockey rosters! “Some of the junior-bound players will get into a game early and then be sent back to their respective junior teams. The AHLers will stick around a bit longer before going on to AHL camp.” [Raw Charge]
Tampa Bay Lightning GM Steve Yzerman spoke to the media on Media Day. The marvelous @Saima_1226 has transcribed Yzerman’s expectations for the season. “Honestly, [Steven Stamkos] is pretty self-motivated every year. Whether it was his rookie year, second year, third year, injury, whatnot. He’s driven and he loves playing. He loves everything about the game.” [Raw Charge]
The Bolts seem to have a new goal song! (Reddit says it plays between 0:13 – 0:26 seconds) Do you love it? Do you hate it? Let us know what you think in the comments or on twitter!
Lightning also with a new goal song it seems. Played Goons (Baby I Need It All) by Mona. https://t.co/HeEq7A2ouS
— Raw Charge (@RawCharge) September 20, 2017
The wait is a Killer!
One last thing for tonight… ⚡️
10.6.17 | #GoBolts pic.twitter.com/dRooHT0q0d
— Tampa Bay Lightning (@TBLightning) September 20, 2017
The Prospects
Tampa Bay Lightning top prospect Cal Foote made his preseason debut Tuesday. Before the game he spoke about the magnitude of the moment. “Kind of a dream my whole life, my whole childhood,” Foote said. “So it’s going to be a fun moment, that’s for sure.” [Tampa Bay Times]
#tblightning first round pick Cal Foote says his dad, former #NHL d-man Adam, is in town for his exhibition debut. Wearing his No. 52. pic.twitter.com/MP1iCN2Bm2
— Joe Smith (@TBTimes_JSmith) September 19, 2017
After earning a one-way NHL contract, Yanni Gourde is ready to step into the NHL. “Provided he makes the team – an all indications are he should – Gourde can provide scoring punch in the bottom six while shuffling where needed between center and either wing. He has the ability to slot into a top six role in a pinch.” [NHL dot com]
The surprisingly quick skating Oleg Sosunov is a very intruiging prospect for the Taampa Bay Lightning. “When Hall of Famer Phil Esposito first saw Lightning prospect Oleg Sosunov, he joked he thought the 6-foot-8 Russian would hit the ceiling at Amalie Arena.” [Tampa Bay Times]
Alexey definitely earned some love with his play in Tampa Bay’s 2-1 loss to Carolina.
Alexey Lipanov named Third Star of tonight’s game. #CARvsTBL pic.twitter.com/Q46xZTd4BD
— Tampa Bay Lightning (@TBLightning) September 20, 2017
The Game
Former Bolt and current New Jersey Devils centerman, Brian Boyle, has been diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukemia, a form of cancer. [NHL dot com]
“I feel very fortunate and very blessed. We’ve had a tremendous outpouring of prayers, and if there’s anything I can ask it’s that that continues. That is something that I’ve seen firsthand heal cancers and heal situations that are said to be untreatable. For us, we’re in a good spot. We think we have a good plan of attack here and I’m looking forward to getting on the ice and playing.” – Brian Boyle
The entire #Bolts family is behind you, Boyler.
You got this, @BriBrows22. pic.twitter.com/Q8N5ycXwa3
— Tampa Bay Lightning (@TBLightning) September 19, 2017
Roman Josi has been named the 8th captain in Nashville Predators history. “In a way, Roman Josi taking the reigns of the Predators’ captaincy reflects the franchise. The Predators are an organization well known for developing outstanding defensemen. In the past, they were outstanding shut-down players, but as hockey has changed, the Predators have too.” [On the Forecheck]
Are this years’ Montreal Canadiens turning into the 2011 Boston Bruins? It kind of looks like it. “Jonathan Drouin is the 2011 Bruins’ Tyler Seguin, in that he’s a young player with sky-high potential. Both players were also top-three picks in their respective draft classes. They can (allegedly) play centre and wing.” [Habs Eyes on the Prize]
With the moves the Florida Panthers have made recently, it’s clear that GM Dale Tallon is trying to undo the progress the previous leadership made. “But wins are wins and hockey lifers are stuck in their ways, so Tallon sees the only rational solution he could put forward here as a means of getting back to the kind of success the team had two seasons ago as, ‘undoing everything the Computer Boys did, or would have done.’” [Puck Daddy]
