The Bolts
We’re going to start off with this quote from Tampa Bay Lightning head coach Jon Cooper, because it summarized last night’s game nicely:
#tblightning Cooper: “We played like it was Game 82 and we had already accomplished something. We haven’t accomplished anything.”
— Joe Smith (@TBTimes_JSmith) November 3, 2017
Lethargic Lightning fall to Rangers in overtime, 2-1. “If it wasn’t for the play of Vasilevskiy this game would’ve been over before the first-period horn sounded. The Lightning came out lethargic and out of sorts (just like the Anaheim game) and New York took advantage of it. Full credit to the Rangers for playing like this game meant something. It showed and Vasilevskiy made them work for this evening’s win.” [Raw Charge]
Dan Girardi says he was ‘disappointed’ the Rangers let him go. “I was pretty upset, not like mad upset, just disappointed,” Girardi, 33, recalled on Thursday before facing his former team for the first time at Amalie Arena. “I didn’t even call my wife right away. I was still processing it. It was tough for the first couple weeks, not knowing what was next. I know I can still play.” [Newsday]
Tampa stands together to support #HockeyFightsCancer.
This season, for every save @Cigna will donate $1 to the cause. pic.twitter.com/4sLcJlMVTs
— #BoltsFightCancer (@TBLightning) November 3, 2017
Stamkos compares chemistry with Kucherov to time with St. Louis. “Kuch and I aren’t too far apart in age, as Marty and I were, but I feel the same way with Kuch. How he’s always working on his game, and how I have to keep up with him. It’s been extremely fun so far.” [Sportsnet]
What makes Stamkos, Kucherov and the Lightning power play so dangerous? “Last season, partly out of necessity due to the void on the left side created by Stamkos’ absence, Tampa was forced to feature Victor Hedman and his booming shot from the point with far more prominence. This year, with Stamkos’ one-timer from the left circle back in the mix, they’ve been a far more balanced attack, and as such, significantly trickier for the opposing penalty kill to wrangle.” [Sportsnet]
Tonight’s @SonnysBBQ goal of the game: Point, Hedman, and Gourde team up for a shorthanded beauty. #NYRvsTBL pic.twitter.com/BOOdBjYlnc
— #BoltsFightCancer (@TBLightning) November 3, 2017
The Game
Video: Benn and Byfuglien drop the gloves in wild heavyweight scrap. “After a lengthy discussion between the two well away from the puck, Benn and Byfuglien finally dropped the gloves in a wild scrap between two big players.” [NBC]
Bish nooooo!
The Doan question. “Did you learn from it?” Chayka: “I don’t Monday morning quarterback.”
— Achariya (@tanyarezak) November 2, 2017
Did you catch me livetweeting while I listened to this Craig Custance interview with John Chayka yesterday? It was amazing. “This fascinating conversation with Coyotes GM John Chayka covers a lot of ground, including the Coyotes’ unique approach to interviewing coaches, how the Pavel Datsyuk trade went down, how opposing GMs use anchoring in trade talks and much, much more.” [The Athletic]
