The Bolts
2016-17 Season Breakdown: Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Anaheim Ducks. “The Lighting picked up three out of four possible points in their two match-ups with the Anaheim Ducks. If they had been able to pick up all four points they might have sneaked into the playoffs, but there plenty of easier points left on the table throughout the season. Tampa Bay continued its success against Anaheim as they ran their consecutive points streak to 13 games (all hail the pity point!).” [Raw Charge]
Video: Victor Hedman’s pregame ritual — sticks, skates, and salt. Hedman goes through 100 sticks every season, gets new skates every 10 games, and adds plenty of salt to his water during every game. Watch the complete video full of so many more fun facts about Tampa’s #1 defenseman. [Raw Charge]
Once again, Jeff Vinik proves he is the patron saint of Tampa Bay. He spent a large part of his portion of the 2018 NHL All-Star press conference praising the community. It’s no wonder he’s so widely beloved by Bolts fans.
“I have a message to you fans. You deserve this All-Star Game. You have provided us this tremendous support. You have created one of the strongest franchises in the NHL. You deserve this All-Star Game. We couldn’t be more proud to have it here next January.” – Jeff Vinik, Owner of the Tampa Bay Lightning
The Lightning have three big names who need new contracts this summer: Jonathan Drouin, Tyler Johnson, and Ondrej Palat. General Manager Steve Yzerman believes he’ll be able to keep all of them on the roster.
#tblightning Yzerman says he’s had talks w camps for RFAs Johnson, Palat, Drouin. Maintains same confidence, optimism he can sign all three
— Joe Smith (@TBTimes_JSmith) June 2, 2017
“Voting for the Blue and White Regions in the Best of the Bolts’ Elite Eight starts at noon on Tuesday, May 30 and ends at 11:30 a.m. on Friday, June 2. You can vote as many times as you’d like for your favorite play in each matchup.” [Tampa Bay Lightning]
The Prospects
The Syracuse Crunch are taking on the Grand Rapids Griffins in the Calder Cup Finals starting tonight at 7:00 PM.
ICYMI: Here’s how to stream all the games for free!
One fan shares her love of the Crunch. “Here we are now, on the cusp of playing for the Calder Cup again, against the Grand Rapids Griffins again… This has been a year of moments I will remember forever. Regardless of what happens, this season has been and will continue to be amazing. Let’s go Crunch! Let’s FIN15H! Our time is NOW!” [Raw Charge]
Goalie Mike McKenna is a popular guy in the Syracuse Crunch locker room. “To put in simply: These guys like Mike… To listen to McKenna describe the journey he is about to embark on, you can see why his teammates smile at the mere mention of his name. His joy is infectious.” [Syracuse.com]
The Game
Two days ago, the Lightning traded prospect Bokondji Imama to the Los Angeles Kings for a seventh round conditional pick. Yesterday, that condition was fulfilled as the Kings since Imama to a three-year entry level contract.
Pekka Rinne is having a bad Stanley Cup Final, but just how bad has been a surprise. “Regression was always going to get Pekka Rinne, and yet this fall is harder than what it should have been.” [SB Nation]
