The Bolts
Andrei Vasilevskiy was the star of the show in the Tampa Bay Lightning’s 2-1 victory over the St. Louis Blues. Vasy stopped 28 of 29 shots and kept the Bolts in the game several times with some huge saves. “Last game I mentioned Vasilevskiy’s rebound control and how it seemed a bit off. This game, Vasilevskiy swallowed nearly every puck thrown his way.” [Raw Charge]
Video bomb! Featuring Vladdy Namestnikov and Nikita Kucherov!
— Saima (@Saima_1226) October 15, 2017
Quickly, which was better: Kucherov eyeing the camera, or Kucherov finding the back of the net? It’s a tough choice.
It’s Nikita Kucherov’s world.
We’re just living in it. 🔥 #STLvsTBL pic.twitter.com/qaiDOioT6Y
— Tampa Bay Lightning (@TBLightning) October 15, 2017
The Lightning remain undefeated at home this season. With the help from the leagues most lethal powerplay and steady goaltending from Vasy, the Lightning have put together a very impressive homestand. [NHL dot com]
“On Monday, the Lightning rallied from a two-goal deficit on two separate occasions to upend the Washington Capitals, last year’s Presidents’ Trophy winner, in overtime.
On Thursday, the Bolts defeated the two-time defending Stanley Cup champion Pittsburgh Penguins, jumping out to a two-goal advantage in that victory and then responding each time the Penguins cut into the lead.
Saturday, playing a St. Louis team that’s made the playoffs six straight years and had defeated the Lightning six of the last seven times they met, the Bolts played about as efficient a game as they’ve played in some time to stymie the Blues.”
Last night, the Tampa Bay Lightning honored the teams inaugural roster. Not to be forgotten among them should be four staffers who have been with the team for all 25 years. “Over the course of the franchise’s history, four individuals – Nigel Kirwan, Dr. Chuck Slonim, Dr. Sam Caranante and Rod Harris — have been with the team from its inception, four individuals who bleed Lightning blue and represent the team with the class and the professionalism the franchise has come to stand for.” Read all their stories, they’re amazing people. [NHL dot com]
Speaking of the Inaugural team:
Because of you, we can be us. ⚡️#GoBolts | #Bolts25 pic.twitter.com/6QJzGlzV6D
— Tampa Bay Lightning (@TBLightning) October 15, 2017
The Prospects
It was a quiet night for the Lightning’s NCAA prospects but the same could not be said for their Major Junior young stars. Taylor Raddysh had two goals in Erie’s OT win over Niagara. Otto Somppi had three points in Halifax’s 9-5 win over Cape Breton. And Brett Howden had three assists in Moose Jaw’s OT win over Vancouver. Check out recaps of all Bolts prospects at… BoltProspects.com [Bolt Prospects]
Live look at @MJWARRIORS 6’8, 235 lb defenceman Oleg Sosunov:#WHL pic.twitter.com/fsW0QrCYwD
— Guy Flaming (@TPS_Guy) October 13, 2017
Check out highlights for Syracuse’s 3-2 loss to the Utica Comets last night. Goals came from Cory Conacher and Erik Cernak. “Crunch netminder Michael Leighton turned aside 16-of-19 shots. Thatcher Demko blocked 24-of-26 in victory for the Comets. Syracuse went 0-for-5 on the power play, while Utica converted on 2-of-7 man-advantages.” [Syracuse Crunch]
The #SyrCrunch fell to the @UticaComets, 3-2, in their first of 12 matchups this season. #UTIvsSYR pic.twitter.com/vdhe8M3aFY
— Syracuse Crunch (@SyracuseCrunch) October 15, 2017
The Game
The Toronto Maple Leafs finally got a nearly four-year-old monkey off their back last night, defeating the Montreal Canadiens 4-3 in OT. They improve to 1-9-5 in their last 15 against Montreal. Auston Matthews scored two goals, including the OT winner.
Raise that Leaf flag high, Seldo. And fly it proudly. [Pension Plan Puppets]
FINALLY THE @MapleLeafs BEAT THE HABS! pic.twitter.com/Nus19ywZEa
— Patrick Marghoul (@ElSeldo) October 15, 2017
Speaking of the Leafs:
Highlight of the Night: the fact that Auston Matthews was able to bring down that pass from William Nylander, control it, shoot it, and score all within a split second is still something that blows my mind every time I see it. P.S. Gotta love the hug after. [Reddit]
The Edmonton Oilers got annihilated last night by the Ottawa Senators by a score of 6-1. Cam Talbot let in four goals and got pulled, he’s already been pulled twice this season. After a 1-3-0 start, Oilers media is already asking if this team is a bust. (They could be). [Sportsnet]
“Let’s cut to the chase: Was last season a fluke? Are the Edmonton Oilers just McDavid and a bunch of average Joes? Has general manager Peter Chiarelli’s gamble proven bad, when he went through the summer without signing a top-four NHL defenceman?”
Vadim Shipachyov has (finally) been called up by the Vegas Golden Knights. Vegas was able to call up their star centre because Erik Haula had to be put on the Injured Reserve (IR). “Shipachyov had not reported to the Chicago Wolves, the Golden Knights’ AHL affiliate, since being sent down over a week ago. If McPhee’s words are any indication, however, Shipachyov may be in Vegas to stay. That means the Golden Knights will have to trade or send down someone if and when Haula makes his way back into the lineup.” [SB Nation]
Future NHL All-Star games could be scrapped in favor of an international event, mostly likely in Europe. “According to Sportsnet’s Chris Johnston, the NHL may be looking into scrapping the festival weekend all together in favor of international growth opportunities.” [SB Nation]
“On Saturday evening, Johnston dropped the news during Hockey Night in Canada, in which it’s mentioned that the NHL is making a “real push” to make bigger splashes internationally. While there’s no mention as to what specifically the NHL wants to do overseas, according to Johnston the idea has gotten real traction between the league and the Players Association.”
