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Quick Strikes: “We Sucked” - Tampa Bay Lightning coach Jon Cooper

Ottawa’s Derick Brassard: “I’ll play anywhere.”

The Bolts

Not only did the Tampa Bay Lightning lose 5-3 to the Philadelphia Flyers but the team also lost Peter Budaj long enough that they’ll require a replacement. [Raw Charge]

“Tampa Bay didn’t play well. They know it and the fans know it. What the Lightning didn’t do was give up though. They continued to fight through their turnovers, missed passes, and poor power-play to have a chance to tie the game in the waning minutes of this one.”

You can read more about Budaj’s situation here. Tough to see a guy like Budaj go down like this. Hopefully he recovers soon.

According to 31 Thoughts Anthony Duclair needs a fresh start. Is sunny Tampa the right home for him? [Raw Charge]

“Duclair is on a $1.2 million contract and will be a restricted free agent this summer. The Lightning have an opening at right wing in their top nine. Cory Conacher is currently playing on the third line and Tyler Johnson is playing out of position on the right side on the second line.”

New years resolution time! What is your Tampa Bay Lightning resolution hope? What’s your league-wide resolution hope? Got any personal resolutions? I’m saying resolution way too much, aren’t I. I need to resolve that. [Raw Charge]

“Instead, we’re thinking hockey resolutions, areas in which you would like to see a committed effort of improvement. However, with the Lightning currently doing so well, it’s kind of unreasonable to ask for or expect much more.”

The Prospects

Boris Katchouk scored a chaotic goal for Canada in their shootout loss to the USA. After a disappointing loss to Slovakia, the win over Canada gives the United States a chance to get back into the tournament on good foote-ing. Full report courtesy of Bolt Prospects. [Bolt Prospects]

“Let’s be honest, it was a messy game, literally and metaphorically. But you have to hand it to the American, just hours after being upset by Slovakia, they fall behind 2-0 and 3-1 to the Canadians in terrible outdoor weather conditions, but manage a big rally to tie and eventually win in the shootout, throwing all kinds of chaos in the Group A standings.”

Forreal, Mathieu Joseph, forreal.

Shane Conacher and the ECHL Adirondack Thunder begin a critical home-and-home with the Reading Royals starting today. [Post Star]

“It might be hard to believe, given the Adirondack Thunder’s 1-6 record against Reading this season, but the Thunder are two points ahead of the Royals in the standings. That one Thunder victory came in their last meeting on Dec. 17.”

Lightning top prospect Cal Foote has been a work-horse and a steady presence for Canada at the World Juniors. [The Hockey Writers]

“Foote is known for being a robust and assertive defender. He is capable on offense though, too. In 30 games this ‘17-’18 season, he has averaged a point a game — six goals and 24 assists. Throughout his WHL career he has compiled 20 goals and 103 assists in 172 games.”

The Game

Jeff Glass was the unstoppable goaltender for the 2005 World Junior Champion Canadians. Glass finally got to join Sidney Crosby, Ryan Getzlaf, Patrice Bergeron, Shea Weber, Mike Richards, Andrew Ladd, Dion Phaneuf, Jeff Carter, and Brent Seabrook as a bone-fid NHL hockey player at the ripe young age of 32. He even got the OTW for the Chicago Blackhawks! [Sportsnet]

Derick Brassard was asked about whether he would fancy a trade back to the team that drafted him: the Columbus Blue Jackets. Brassard, 30, spoke very well of his former team even going as far to say “I’ll go anywhere.” [Sportsnet]

“It’s my first team and there are really good people there who work for the organization, great fans, and I still have good friends on that team” Brassard said. “They have good prospects in the system and are well-managed and well-coached. They have built a pretty strong organization.”

Should the Vegas Golden Knights buy at the trade deadline or sell?

Minnesota Wild head coach Bruce Boudreau took a puck to the head during the Wild’s game against the Nashville Predators. [Russian Machine Never Breaks]

“With 5:44 left in the third period, a puck deflected onto the Wild’s bench and struck Boudreau on the left side of his temple. Boudreau would bleed and get helped to the locker room by the team’s trainer.”

Highlight of the Night: Patrick Kane is back to his dancing self. The best part of the play is that it gave Jeff GLass his first career NHL win!

Runner-up goes to recently healthy Ryan Kesler punching the mouthguard out of Matthew Tkachuk’s teeth.

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