WHERE: St. Pete Times Forum, Tampa, Florida
WHEN: 7:30 PM EST
MEDIA: Sun Sports (cable), 620 WDAE (radio)
OPPONENT COVERAGE:Stanley Cup of Chowder
Last night the Boston Bruins took the Florida Panthers on in Sunrise and escaped with 2 points and a shootout win over the Panthers. They come into Tampa tonight and… Well, here’s a question for Bolts fans (and for the Lightning players themselves): Are you ready for payback? Do you want redemption and revenge for the humiliation in Boston a few weeks ago?
It’s been about a month since the lowest of low points of the season — the 8-1 decimation at the hands of the Bruins at TD Garden. We’ve (the fans) gone through a cycle of hysterics over goaltending since then and yet the Lightning are back on track in spite issues in their own end.
I know it’s just one game, but a drubbing like what the Lightning took can really wreck a team’s focus and self-confidence.
But they’re still standing. Better than just standing — they’re fighting and vying for the division crown.
I’ve seen no reports on who is starting for the Bruins in net tonight. Tim Thomas played last night and stopped 32 of 34 shots against him. he could very well go again, or Tuukka Rask get the start. We’ll see.
It’s no surprise Dan Ellis gets the start for the Lightning. Since Mike Smith‘s injury, Ellis has won all four of his matchups, with a .932 save percentage and a 1.91 GAA over those four games. That’s quite a difference to his previous five games, where Ellis only cracked a .800 save percentage twice.
Randy Jones will be out of action tonight on the blueline. He was injured Sunday at Atlanta. Matt Smaby will see playing time and the Bolts will be going with 12 forwards instead of 11.
Other Previews
Tampa Bay Lightning official team preview
Full game coverage on SB Nation
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