Tampa Bay Lightning season thread

Lightning isn't going anywhere, but if they did.
We'd still love them


When I used to live in Tampa, going to the games was beyond awesome.
TV doesn't do Hockey justice, Hockey rocks live.

Boy, just looked
Lightning have Pittsburgh & Kings next

Starting the season with this below is no joke
@ Boston (Stanley Finals Team)
@ Chicago (Stanley Cup Champs)
@ Buffalo
Florida (Playoff Team last yr)
Pittsburgh (Playoff Team last yr)
Kings (Playoff Team last yr)

Lightning are 3-1 after those 1st 4 games with 6 total points gained. If they can get at least 2 points in these next two games(Pitt & Kings) I can't complain about all that after the Lightning seems to have drawn a tough start, and they've done OK. But..... it's a long season and there's still much work left to do without question. Just hope the Lightning is what I think they might be. The real deal this season with this promising new Head Coach leading things. Time will tell and this thread is witness to my bias hunch.

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I hope Seattle buys them and we can get three divisions on both sides again. Ice hockey in TB...not a huge fan.

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What? If any of the two Florida teams gets bought, it's not going to be the one in Tampa Bay.

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Why did they go away from their original logo back in 1992?

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Not sure, but here's a few things I found

*** Logo History ***
https://www.sportslogos.net/logos/list_by_team/27

*** Article talking about logo change ***
https://www.rawcharge.com/2013/1/31/3938324/two-years-later-thoughts-on-the-tampa-bay-lightnings-logo-and-uniform
**** Quotes from above article ****
"The local fans in the Tampa Bay area hated it."
"Whatever your opinion is, it would appear that what CEO Tod Leiweke, GM Steve Yzerman and owner Jeffrey Vinik set out to do - implement a classy, clean and clear mark to represent the Lightning franchise on and off the ice - has been achieved"

Sorta on topic:
I've got the unfortunate happenings of watching the Jacksonville Jaguars stink these days. Denver is next too, oh boy.....
It's bad enough we stink, but our new 2 tone helmet paint job is beyond terrible. https://news.sportslogos.net/2013/08/10/pics-jaguars-new-gradient-helmet-debuts/ Jags have such great colors too, and a flat black helmet would've rocked with their Cat logo. Oh well....


Lightning's regular season thoughts
Great game last night Pittsburgh. That was a tough one to lose in those final 20 seconds or so, and 1 point would've be nice from the Lightning's great effort. But that's how it goes sometimes in Hockey & Life. Pitt fans, your team showed some awesome resiliency last night on the road. They were rewarded with a hard fought win. Kudos....

Lightning 1-1 the last 2 games
Boston --- L
Chicago --- W

Boston has got the Lightning's number, no doubt. The Lightning will never make The Stanley Cup Finals again. Until they figure that great Boston team out or avoid them in the playoffs. Still, the Lightning's 12 points earned outta of a possible 18 total points. Isn't to shabby when considering the tough beginning schedule they played. Hopefully the Lightning can continue growing and become a great Hockey Team.

Lightning's next 14 games
Buffalo
@ Florida
@ New Jersey
@ Carolina
St Louis
Edmonton
@ Detroit
@ Boston
@ Montreal
Anaheim
@ Phoenix
@ Kings
@ San Jose
@ Anaheim

I know it's way early in the season, but these next 14 games(10 on-the-road) Will most likely play a crucial part with making the playoffs, and they need at least 10-14+ points these next 14 games. To stay within striking distance in the playoff hunt. Shoot, when considering those last 8 games in that 14 game stretch, maybe 10 points will do....LOL Will post results after this tough road run......

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With less than two minutes to play in Thursday's Blackhawks-Lightning game, Tampa Bay was trying to close out a thrilling 5-4 win in a game they were badly outplayed in for much of the night.

And then this happened to force overtime.

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Yep, shame Hockey isn't more popular
Great sport, especially live

You nailed the Lightning. We gotta improve a bunch defensively and defensive puck handling needs work too. We got fortunate to pull out those OT wins against Chicago. They outplayed us more than not, but points are points. The Lightning needs all they can get until they become a more complete Hockey team.

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I know it's way early in the season, but these next 14 games(10 on-the-road) Will most likely play a crucial part with making the playoffs, and they need at least 10-14+ points these next 14 games. To stay within striking distance in the playoff hunt. Shoot, when considering those last 8 games in that 14 game stretch, maybe 10 points will do....LOL Will post results after this tough road run......

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The Lightning are hanging tough(8 pts) during this
But some tough test are coming up now

Lightning's 14 games from my above quote
Buffalo --- W
@ Florida --- W
@ New Jersey --- L
@ Carolina --- W
St Louis --- W
Edmonton
@ Detroit
@ Boston
@ Montreal
Anaheim
@ Phoenix
@ Kings
@ San Jose
@ Anaheim
8 Points during this tough 14 game stretch

Cool article on Lightning's success so far
https://espn.go.com/blog/nhl/post/_/id/27599/wait-what-lightning-are-rocking-the-east?ex_cid=espnapi_public

I like the Lightning's new Head Coach, Jon Cooper, a bunch
I sure hope this team can keep improving under his leadership. The defense still needs work, but so far it's an improvement from last season. The younger players are starting to come into their own, and I've been impressed with Valtteri Filppula too. He was a nice pick-up during the off-season. When you team is off with these 3 or 5 day breaks. It's tough after you get used the 1 or 2 day turnarounds, but the players/coaches need rest too.

We just love our Lightning Hockey