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Quick Strikes: Lightning prospects Taylor Raddysh and Boris Katchouk just keep winning in the Soo

And we ask again, what is goalie interference?

The Bolts

Nikita Kucherov spoke to Russian media outlet Sovsport.ru about the All-Star Game, Russian prospects on the Tampa Bay Lightning, and the Olympics. Thanks to Igor Nikonov (@nikonov_igor) of Raw Charge for the translation. [Raw Charge]

“Then there is a good scout in Russia. Lipanov is great, but Volkov is, too. I hope that they will get a chance to play in the NHL next season. I watch how they’re playing in the AHL. When some players coming to Tampa from the AHL and we’re discussing games, I’m always asking, ‘How are the Russians?’.”

No big deal, just captain Steven Stamkos doing captain things.

Erik Karlsson to Tampa Bay..Erik Karlsson to Tampa Bay...Erik Karlsson to Tampa Bay...Erik Karlsson to Tampa Bay..Erik Karlsson to Tampa Bay...Erik Karlsson to Tampa Bay...Erik Karlsson to Tampa Bay...Erik Karlsson to Tampa Bay.... Too much? [Raw Charge]

GeoFitz: “I’ve thought about it some more. I’m wondering if a package surrounding Namestnikov could get it done. It might be one of those situations where Namestnikov has been buoyed by playing with Steven Stamkos and Nikita Kucherov, and he’s a Restricted Free Agent (RFA) this summer, so his value might be at its peak right now.”

Hi Marty!

Fan Poll: What does the second half (40%) of the season look like it’s going to be for you? [Raw Charge]

“There’s the trade deadline. Teams falling officially out of contention. Teams locking up postseason berths. Now that the comfy, cozy All-Star weekend is behind us, it’s time to stop dressing up like pirates and strolling around with our BFFs from out of town and get serious about this hockey business.”

The Lightning’s new TV spot. Get hype!

“What a difference a year makes.” Let’s compare what 2017-18 is to what 2016-17 was. [NHL dot com]

“That’s a 23-point improvement for this year’s Lightning team - and they’ll play their 52nd game on Saturday in Vancouver. How the 2016-17 Lightning finished up last season, however, can be informative about what the 2017-18 squad can expect to see from opponents from here on out.”

The Prospects

The Syracuse Crunch fell to the Utica Comets 3-1 in the first half of a two-game weekend series with the Comets that will conclude on Saturday night. Dennis Yan found the twine for Syracuse’s only goal of the night. [Syracuse]

“Goaltender Connor Ingram turned aside 34-of-36 shots in net for the Crunch. Dennis Yan scored the lone Crunch goal as the team moves to 26-16-2-2 on the season. The loss also drops Syracuse to 3-4-0-0 in the 12-game season series against Utica.”

The Crunch will be hosting “You Can Play Night” on February 10th. [Syracuse Crunch]

“You Can Play Night at the Crunch will celebrate diversity and inclusion in all levels of sports. Crunch players will use pride tape on their sticks during warmups with one team-signed stick being auctioned off on the official auction website following the game. During the night, the scoreboard will include LGBTQ messaging and a “You Can Play” PSA from Crunch players.”

Taylor Raddysh and Boris Katchouk each had a goal and assist (Katchouk sniped the overtime winner) in the Sault Ste. Marie’s 4-3 win over Saginaw.

NHL shot?

Brett Howden assisted on the only goal for Moose Jaw in their 3-1 loss to Red Deer. Oleg Sosunov did not record any points in the game. [WHL]

Otto Somppi was held pointless in Halifax’s 5-1 loss to Moncton. Alexey Lipanov was held pointless in the Sudbury Wolves’ 4-2 loss to Raddysh’s former team, the Erie Otters. And Cal Foote went oh-for in Kelowna’s 3-2 loss to the Everett Silvertips.

The Game

Johan Larsson of the Buffalo Sabres has been suspended two games for his cross-check to the face of Florida Panthers forward Vincent Trocheck. [ESPN]

“The league’s department of player safety issued the ruling after conducting a hearing with Larsson on Friday, a day after Buffalo’s 4-2 loss to the Panthers. Larsson was already facing a one-game suspension after being issued a 10-minute match penalty and five-minute cross-checking major for his hit to Trocheck with 35 seconds left in the game.”

Blame Colorado if we have to trade Libor Hajek for a back-up PR assistant. “Joe Sakic and the Colorado Avalanche have ruined the NHL trade market.” [Mile High Hockey]

That is a huge return (for Kyle Turris) - especially when you break it down in detail - but to summarize, that’s a salary dump (Hammond), Ottawa’s first round pick from the 2017 draft (Bowers), Nashville’s top NHL-ready forward prospect (Kamenev), a 19-year old defenseman that is already capable of playing in Colorado’s top-4 (Girard) and a draft pick in each of the first three rounds.

Do goalies hate 3-on-3 overtime? [ESPN]

“Some of the goalies have been talking about it, absolutely,” said Winnipeg Jetsgoalie Connor Hellebuyck. “You go through a game. Let’s say you give up two goals on 30 shots. Then you go into overtime. This is looked at as a very good thing -- you get your team a point. But let’s say you give up a goal on your first shot. Now your stats take a hit. When it comes contract time, that’s a big deal.”

I don’t really care what goalies think, it’s fun as hell.

Goaltender interference has gotten to a pretty embarassing point in our history as a sport. [SB Nation]

“A pair of questionable calls Thursday night during the Bruins-Blues and Golden Knights-Jetsgames only underscored that this is a growing issue in need of addressing as soon as possible. Winnipeg players didn’t mince their words about the non-call after Connor Hellebuyck was hit in the head by James Neal right before a Vegas goal...”

There was yet another great discussion on Tim&Sid regarding goalie interference and its implications.

Highlight of the Night: Phil Kessel’s snapper is illegal. Pittsburgh Penguins win again.

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