The Bolts
After a boring first period, the Tampa Bay Lightning jumped out to a 4-0 lead over the Colorado Avalanche. The final score was 6-5 with Mikhail Sergachev earning the game-winning goal. Safe to say this game was a barn-burner. On Colorado’s Star Wars Night no less! [Raw Charge]
“Victor Hedman played a complete game. He contributed offensively and defensively. He was all over the ice, consistently making his presence known. His pass to Kucherov started the flood of scoring (including a goal of his own). He saved a sure goal from the goal line.”
Heddy’s got the moves. 💰 #TBLvsCOL pic.twitter.com/naOD4xbDec
— Tampa Bay Lightning (@TBLightning) December 17, 2017
It was destiny that Saima got to recap Brayden Point’s 100th game.
Official now! Brayden Point is skating in his 100th career @nhl game, all as a Bolt.
Congrats, @braydenpoint19! ⚡️ #TBLvsCOL pic.twitter.com/BdUSD052Rt
— Tampa Bay Lightning (@TBLightning) December 17, 2017
Video: In the second period of the Colorado game, Erik Johnson both slashed and pushed Vladislav Namestnikov hard into the boards. He recieved 2-, 5-, and 10-minute long penalties for slashing, boarding, and game misconduct. Vladdy would return to the game but the question is, should Erik Johnon face supplemental discipline? [Sportsnet]
It’s December.
Mikhail Sergachev of the @TBLightning is the fourth rookie defenseman in NHL history to score five game-winning goals in a season. #NHLStats #TBLvsCOL pic.twitter.com/VOCc6AEXrc
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) December 17, 2017
The heart and soul of the Bolts appears to be out for a while. Will the Lightning be able to replace Ryan Callahan for the time being? [Tampa Bay Times]
“The good news for the Lightning is that GM Steve Yzerman is hopeful RW Ryan Callahan will be ready to go in 3-4 weeks when his upper body injury is re-evaluated.”
Andrei Vasilevskiy has stepped into becoming a starting goaltender without breaking stride. [Fan Rag Sports]
“Among the 30 netminders who have played at least 500 minutes this season, Vasilevskiy has the best 5-on-5 save percentage (.93.87). He’s outperforming other high-end goaltenders in this regard, keeping the Lightning in each and every game he starts.”
The Prospects
Cal Foote, Brett Howden, Boris Katchouk, Taylor Raddysh, . You will be seeing these four Bolts prospects don the red and white of Team Canada for this winter’s World Junior Championship. Read some exclusive interviews with some of these up-and-comers thanks to Mr. @ElSeldo [Raw Charge]
“Katchouk [on his OHL Greyhounds]: It’s massive. It’s such a confident room right now, and we’re trying to win every game. It’s coming easy to us and everything is coming into place. The team chemistry we have right now is amazing.”
The Syracuse Crunch have won 10 straight. This is the second longest winning streak in Crunch history. The first? I’ll give you a hint: “Nasty Boys” [Syracuse]
“The 2007-08 team, affiliated with Columbus, had some very talented players, such as forwards Alexander Picard, Derek MacKenzie, Joakim Lindstrom and Derick Brassard and defenseman Marc Methot and Duvie Westcott.
But it also had muscle and brashness, both in overflowing supply.”
Aaaaand I spoke too soon. Lehigh Valley snaps the Cunch’s run with a 4-2 win on Saturday night. Guess they’ll just have to start another one starting Wednesday against Laval! [Syracuse]
“Connor Ingram turned aside 29-of-33 shots in net for the Crunch, while John Muse earned the win with 22 saves for the Phantoms. Syracuse was unable to convert on four power play opportunities and went 4-for-5 on the penalty kill.”
The #SyrCrunch fell to the @LVPhantoms, 4-2. #SYRvsLV
📝 → https://t.co/dX74SRviZu pic.twitter.com/3EI1wYqJ4l
— Syracuse Crunch (@SyracuseCrunch) December 17, 2017
The Game
The Eugene Melnyk needs to stop talking to the media but continues to do so saga continues. “If it becomes a disaster? Yes. [I would move the team].” Honey, it’s already become a disaster. [Ottawa Sun] [Ottawa Citizen]
“Here, we’re fighting every day to sell a ticket. Honest to god. And when you get to the third round of the playoffs and you’re begging people to buy a ticket, something’s wrong with that picture.”
In related news, on the same day the Ottawa Senators hosted and shutout the Montreal Canadiens in a forgettable NHL100 Outdoor Classic. #MelnykOut became the fourth trend in Canada. Goofy times.
At least Erik Karlsson is still keeping things cheerful.
Karlsson baby what is you doin pic.twitter.com/spXgSMa7jc
— NBCSN (@NBCSN) December 17, 2017
How has Jonathan Drouin really fared with the Montreal Canadiens? A video and ccoaching session/evaluation. [Habs Eyes on the Prize]
“On Thursday, based on that metric, an on-air commenter said that Jonathan Drouin was not attracting enough attention, as if it was an indication of lacklustre play. It was a comment that seemed to also relate to the poor fit Drouin is for the Montreal Canadiens playing the centre position.”
JONATHAN DROUIN FORGOT TO TAKE HIS BLADE PROTECTORS OFF AND FELL ON THE ICE
A G A I N
— anu 🌼 (@barbaragordcn) December 17, 2017
A great story from former Columbus Blue Jackets GM Doug MacLean on why he didn’t draft Anze Kopitar.
Here’s Jeff Marek making Doug MacLean recite the story of how he passed up drafting Anze Kopitar to take Gilbert Brule in the 2005 NHL Draft. This is what they call, “The Good Stuff”. pic.twitter.com/ftUyCZIcFS
— Jeremy Crowe (@307x) December 16, 2017
What’s up with the new and improved New Jersey Devils? Offense. [All About the Jersey]
“Over the first 30 games, the Devils scored 22 more goals this season versus last. 22 goals per 30 games equates to approximately 60 more goals over 82 games. Last season, the Devils had a -61 goal differential.”
Highlight of the Night: Steve Mason of the Winnipeg Jets somehow made a sprawling paddle save look almost graceful?!
