The Bolts
The biggest issue for the Tampa Bay Lightning last year was the penalty kill. This year they have gone 8/8 on the kill. I think that’s an improvement. [NHL dot com]
So the Lightning went back to basics Friday in practice, drilling the power play exhaustively through much of the training session. They also went back to a personnel alignment they’d had success with the previous season, moving Alex Killorn between the circles on the first unit and sending Brayden Point to the second unit where he could be more of a creator.
#Bolts’ penalty kill has been so good this season, they’re like, “We don’t even need to use our blades to stop you.” pic.twitter.com/oZS9tBHG7y
— Bryan Burns (@BBurnsNHL) October 15, 2018
It’s Watch Party time again! Who’s going on Saturday night?
First watch party of 2018-19? Book it!
We’ll be at @amsotampa this Saturday for #TBLvsMIN! Party starts at 7pm and will include @budlight and @budweiser specials. ⚡️ pic.twitter.com/NIuQYKA4xz
— Tampa Bay Lightning (@TBLightning) October 15, 2018
The Carolina Hurricanes are one of the hotter teams in the NHL right now. Sebastian Aho is leading the scoring, the defense is impeccable, and we think the goaltending is back together? Here’s a preview for their game against the Bolts tonight. [NHL dot com]
Tampa Bay has won seven in a row at home over Carolina, the last loss coming on April 21, 2013 (a 3-2 defeat)…Victor Hedman (3-5–8) and Ondrej Palat (1-5–6) each have points in five-straight games vs. CAR…Tyler Johnson is on a four-game scoring streak vs. CAR (5-4–9)…Braydon Coburn has scored more career goals vs. CAR (5) than against any other NHL team.
You’ll never have to worry about where @TBLightning assistant coach Derek Lalonde is on the ice. You’ll hear him coming! Listen in to the sounds of a Bolts practice. #GoBolts pic.twitter.com/Ui21TwHdJh
— FOX Sports Florida (@FOXSportsFL) October 15, 2018
The Prospects
The Syracuse Crunch couldn’t live up to their 25th Home Opener over the weekend. But at least their jerseys looked good. [Raw Charge]
It was a good week off the ice for the Syracuse Crunch even if the on the ice results left a lot to be desired. Sandwiched between the two games, both losses, the Crunch managed to name a new captain, extend their lease with their current arena, and celebrate their 25th season on the ice. Not too bad.
That silver 🔥 pic.twitter.com/kvzMg139kQ
— Syracuse Crunch (@SyracuseCrunch) October 15, 2018
#SyrCrunch captain Gabriel Dumont was our first #ShootoutShow guest of the season after Saturday’s home opener. https://t.co/9ok5NXAaln
— Lukas Favale (@LukasFavale) October 15, 2018
We’re back with the Bolt Prospects daily updates. First up, the NCAA kids. [Bolt Prospects]
I grew up watching Chargers hockey, but UAH was outmanned and outgunned against the #10 Pioneers, as Denver blanked Alabama-Huntsville 6-0. Lightning prospect Cole Guttman was 90% on draws and threw a game-high seven shots at Charger netminder Jake Theut (undrafted), but was held off the scoresheet. Liam Finlay (undrafted), however, was not held pointless, notching a hat trick and four points to lead the Pioneers offensively.
And now the two Canadian major junior hockey kids who played over the weekend. [Bolt Prospects]
Lipanov is still looking for his first point as a member of the Rangers. Kitchener dropped a close 2-1 decision in Saginaw Sunday. Minnesota fifth rounder (2018) Damien Giroux had the game-winner for the Spirit.
The Game
This is one of the more beautiful moments I’ve seen in a while. My family has roots in Kenya, so seeing this was really really awesome. One thing the video forgot to mention was that there’s only one women’s team in Kenya, too. Maybe they can play each other! [ESPN]
The walls are painted lime green, the room smells of tea and ugali — a cornmeal porridge that is a staple in East Africa — and the only light comes from a TV in the living room. The game is on — again. It’s the 2010 Olympic women’s hockey gold-medal match, streaming on YouTube. Canada versus the United States.
Kenya’s only hockey team had nobody to play. So, we brought them to Canada for a game. And, we surprised them with a couple of new teammates. https://t.co/gzMuiX4tbP
— Tim Hortons (@TimHortons) October 15, 2018
Florida Panthers defenseman Mike Matheson has been suspended two games for his body slam on Vancouver Canucks rookie phenom Elias Pettersson. Boy, are the Canucks team, media, and fans fired up. When the Canucks are slighted, they never let it go. [The Province]
The NHL has suspended Florida Panthers defenceman Mike Matheson for two games without pay for interference and unsportsmanlike conduct for his hit on Elias Pettersson that left the Vancouver Canucks rookie forward with a concussion.
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#Canucks coach Travis Green today in Pittsburgh still fired up about the Mike Matheson slam of Elias Pettersson. He said Pettersson is “better today” and was better yesterday, but is in the concussion protocol. pic.twitter.com/tedMepN6Bq
— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) October 15, 2018
The New York Rangers’ team puppy is cute as heck.
👀 always on the ⚫️ right Chris?#NYRPupOnAPath#NYR @NYRangers pic.twitter.com/emY1R2SUk2
— Ranger (@NYRangersPup) October 15, 2018
Did someone order a goalie?
How much should I have tipped @KCoop2929? pic.twitter.com/8sjM229OSY
— Mike McKenna (@MikeMcKenna56) October 15, 2018
Justin Schultz is out four months after breaking his leg in a game. [Pensburgh]
While a significant injury was feared, it was all but confirmed when the venerable Bob McKenzie tweeted yesterday, “No official word yet from PIT on specifics of left leg/ankle injury suffered by Justin Schultz last night but speculation is it’s a fracture. Timeline TBD but it’s obviously going to be significant.”
Highlight of the Night: I thought he was stone hands Zach Hyman?
This one’s pretty hard to explain what happened… 🤔 #LAKvsTOR pic.twitter.com/0GXGddv5R8
— NHL (@NHL) October 16, 2018
