The Bolts
Tampa Bay Lightning captain Steven Stamkos scored his first goal since coming back from injury and it tied a Lightning record in the process. “[It] not just any power play goal, but a franchise-record-tying one: power play goal 112, to tie Vinny Lecavalier’s record.” [Raw Charge]
This Lightning power play is insane. It’s just Stamkos, Kucherov and Hedman teeing off on one-timers while the Penguins turtle for dear life
— Dimitri Filipovic (@DimFilipovic) October 13, 2017
Slater Koekkoek has been needing to prove that he can stick in the NHL as a regular. After scoring twice against the reigning Stanley Cup champions, Koekkoek has definitely made his case to stay. Oh, and the Lightning defeated the Pittsburgh Penguins 5-4, Andrei Vasilevskiy getting the win over Antti Niemi. “He opened the scoring six minutes in when his point shot deflected off a Penguins player and past Antti Niemi to give Tampa Bay a 1-0 lead. His excitement after scoring was a joy to watch.” [Raw Charge]
A night #Bolts defenseman Slater Koekkoek will never forget. pic.twitter.com/0AgG6pkOqT
— Bryan Burns (@BBurnsNHL) October 12, 2017
We have another highlight breakdown! This time it is Nikita Kucherov’s beautiful backhand-shelf goal over Phillipe Grauber. “It is everything that the Lightning want in their offense: fast, decisive and precise. It also shows what happens when the players make the right decisions at key points throughout a play.” [Raw Charge]
The Lightning taught us three main things in their win over the Penguins. Bryan Burns takes you through them. “Almost to a man, the Lightning have referenced their loss at the Florida Panthers on Saturday as a turning point of the season, as much as a season that’s just four games old can actually have a turning point. The Bolts didn’t play the game the right way against the Panthers, and it showed in a dismal 5-3 defeat.” [NHL dot com]
The Prospects
As a sophomore, 2016 fourth round forward prospect Ross Colton is becoming a leader at the University of Vermont. “Colton wasted no time in showing the improvement in his game as he scored four goals in the opening weekend split with Colorado College, including a hat trick Saturday. It took Colton 12 games to score as many goals during his freshman campaign.” [SBN College]
THE SYRACUSE BOYS ARE BACK!! (I don’t need to say more, do I?)
We’re back again. 👊 pic.twitter.com/LkFdiGYVTy
— Syracuse Crunch (@SyracuseCrunch) October 12, 2017
The Game
Alex Ovechkin is so hot right now that some people are wondering if he could hit the legendary 50 in 50. “The Washington Capitals sniper is off to a torrid start with eight goals in his first four games, a pace of 164 goals that certainly will not be maintained. But coming off a “down” 33-goal season after which his conditioning and dedication were questioned, all indications are that he’s returned a more motivated player.”
Or he could break the NHL all-time goals record, or both. [Sportsnet]
Speaking of hot, Drew Doughty doesn’t like Matthew Tkachuk at all. “The two players got penalties around the same time in the third period of the Flames’ 4-3 win over the Kings, and could be seen yelling at each other from their respective penalty boxes in a manner that seemed … less than friendly.” [SB Nation]
A few words between friends. #besties pic.twitter.com/YRVn7s2pyR
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) October 12, 2017
Hightlight of the Night: Nikita Kucherov’s snipe was so perfect that they had to review it to make sure it went in. That’s impressive. [Reddit]
Soccer (football) legend Bastian Schweinsteiger was at the Chicago Blackhawks game, and played the intermission game “Shoot the Puck”. He looked like he had fun! “Both men tried their hand at shooting, with sports star Schweinsteiger naturally more impressive. Former Germany captain Schweinsteiger struggled to settle at Old Trafford but he looks very much at home in the US six months after joining Chicago Fire.” [Daily Mail]
