Who has been the Bolt’s MVP this season? (Players listed alphabetically with a 20 Games Played cutoff)
| JT Brown | 5 |
| Peter Budaj | 86 |
| Braydon Coburn | 0 |
| Jake Dotchin | 3 |
| Jonathan Drouin | 7 |
| Gabriel Dumont | 0 |
| Adam Erne | 0 |
| Jason Garrison | 0 |
| Victor Hedman | 28 |
| Tyler Johnson | 0 |
| Alex Killorn | 0 |
| Nikita Kucherov | 91 |
| Vladislav Namestnikov | 0 |
| Ondrej Palat | 2 |
| Cedric Paquette | 0 |
| Brayden Point | 2 |
| Anton Stralman | 0 |
| Andrej Sustr | 8 |
| Andrei Vasilevskiy | 6 |
| Joel Vermin | 0 |
| Luke Witkowski | 5 |
The Bolts
“The Tampa Bay Lightning have recalled forwards Cory Conacher and Michael Bournival from their American Hockey League affiliate, the Syracuse Crunch.” [Tampa Bay Lightning]
If the Bolts miss the playoffs, it’s not because the players stopped trying to win. “They have the drive of a championship team, even if they have not won a Championship. That all comes from heart, to suggest this team has none is just misguided anger.” [Lightning Insider, subscription]
Gabriel Dumont missed Tuesday’s game against the Bruins, but he had a good reason. Congratulations to the happy family!
Gabriel Dumont made it back to his wife in time to be there for the birth of his 2nd child, baby boy Lucas. Mother and baby are doing fine.
— Bryan Burns (@BBurnsNHL) April 5, 2017
Will Steven Stamkos ever win an Olympic gold medal? “With the NHL shutting the door (mostly) on the 2018 Olympic games, will Stamkos ever get another chance?” [Raw Charge]
“Stamkos maintained he didn’t suffer a setback in his recovery from mid-November knee surgery. He said he’s status quo, that when he’s 100 percent, he’ll be back. ‘Day to day? I could be day to day for three months, really,’ Stamkos said. ‘That’s what got the ball rolling a little bit (on his expected return). When I’m ready, and I feel I can help my team, I’ll be back.'” [Tampa Bay Times]
The Lightning’s ECHL affiliate is heading to the playoffs! “Unlike their NHL affiliate, the Kalamazoo Wings have clinched a spot in the playoffs. Not only have they clinched a spot (4th seed in the Central Division) they also know the identity of their opponent — the Toledo Walleye.” [Raw Charge]
The Prospects
The Syracuse Crunch were shutout by the Albany Devils 3-0 last night.
After his surprising demotion to the AHL earlier this season, Slater Koekkoek is making the most of his time in Syracuse. “Any time a guy comes down here, they’re hoping it’s not for long,” Koekkoek said. “I’m not sitting here and pouting about it. I’m trying to make the most of it. I love the guys down here. We’re working hard and hopefully go on a long playoff run.” [Bolt Prospects]
The Crunch are hosting “You Can Play” night on Saturday.
“Connor Ingram is the Lightning’s next goalie prospect in waiting and could win a starting job on the Crunch as soon as next season. He was selected by Tampa Bay in the third round, 88th overall, of the 2016 draft. Ingram played in 158 career WHL games with the Kamloops Blazers, posting a 2.68 goals-against average and a .918 save percentage with an 81-50-18 record.” [Syracuse.com]
Boris Katchouk (#12 in red) picked up an assist for the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds as they defeated the Owen Sound Attack 4-1. The Greyhounds lead the series 1-0.
The Game
We send our best wishes to Buffalo Sabres forward Kyle Okposo who is currently hospitalized in the Neurosurgical Intensive Care Unit. “Okposo has been sick since March 28. The 28-year-old has visited doctors, but Bylsma had no diagnosis to announce Wednesday.” [The Buffalo News]
“Bruins wing Brad Marchand will have a hearing Thursday with the NHL’s Department of Player Safety regarding his dirty spear of Lightning defenseman Jake Dotchin.” [Tampa Bay Times]
“Bad news today for the Pittsburgh Penguins: their top defenseman Kris Letang will undergo neck surgery and is out for the remainder of the 2016-17 season.” [Pensburgh]
Predators defenseman Roman Josi sheds light on some of his teammates’ talents. “Nashville is such a great hockey town, but it doesn’t get as much national exposure as the Chicagos and the Pittsburghs of the world. Instead of breaking down our opponents, I thought it would be cool to show you what makes a few of my teammates special.” [The Players’ Tribune]
Jaromir Jagr wants to play until he’s at least 50 years old. “I was serious. I’m not joking. If God gives me the health, I will.” [ESPN]
Today’s adorable moment is brought to you by the Arizona Coyotes.
