re: Tampa Bay Lightning season thread

Seattle should totally buy an NHL team and show Stern what's what - it's ridiculous the way they've been treated by him

What was his injury?

quote:

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Ice hockey in TB...not a huge fan.

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Don't hate on the non traditional markets. They're good for the sport.

Stamkos injury stinks and was a huge loss, but the Lightning players still have to play a game tonight. Just like in real life, you've gotta fight through the tough times. Hopefully the Lightning can rally around each other and still compete for the playoffs.

Lightning's tough road stretch
Buffalo --- W
@ Florida --- W
@ New Jersey --- L
@ Carolina --- W
St Louis --- W
Edmonton --- W
@ Detroit --- W
@ Boston --- L
@ Montreal
Anaheim
@ Phoenix
@ Kings
@ San Jose
@ Anaheim

Before this tough 14 game stretch I said 10-14 points would be solid enough to say in the playoff race. The Lightning have gotten 12 points(24 season total) so far, but no way to sugar coat this. The Lightning now enter post Stamkos era of the season. No one player makes a Hockey team, but when you lose 44% of your goals scored it stings a bunch. Others will have to step up and fill the void moving forward.

I like our new HC(Jon Cooper) and he'll have to do some serious coaching to keep things rolling. The chemistry on this Lightning team is goo, and this might even make them bond more so. Hopefully the Lightning can rally while doing something special

The Lightning are having their 1st bad spell of the year, and it's gut check time

Lightning's tough 14 game road stretch
Buffalo --- W
@ Florida --- W
@ New Jersey --- L
@ Carolina --- W
St Louis --- W
Edmonton --- W
@ Detroit --- W
@ Boston --- L (Stamkos injured)
@ Montreal --- W
Anaheim --- W
@ Phoenix --- L
@ Kings --- L
@ San Jose --- L
@ Anaheim --- L /OT

Before this tough road stretch I mentioned 10-14 points would be OK to push for the playoffs, and the Lightning earned 17 points, but there's a few concerns moving forward. Closing the deal with goals has become difficult, making costly mistakes, and the defense overall has slipped. Especially with giving up break away chances.

I knew the 10:30pm West-coast times would be a stiff test, but it was worse than I expected. The Lightning are having a difficult time closing the deal with goals. It's either a bad streak or the lost of Stamkos is hurting real bad. I think it's a little of both, but only time will completely answer all that. Plus the Lightning are reverting back to costly mistakes they made last season. The 1st consecutive game losing streak, and the 2-4-1 record since Stamkos went down is concerning, but my only hope is the 10:30 start times had the Lightning in a funky state. We'll see if the Lightning can keep earning crucial points because the playoffs would be huge for this young team growth.

Lightning's much needed home stretch
Rangers
Philadelphia
Pittsburgh
@ Columbus
Ottawa
Winnipeg
@ Washington
Detroit

Gut check time, and the Lightning need other players to step up with goals. Wins are needed for confidence and points are needed to stay in the playoff chase. Need around 8-12 points during this home stretch.

Yes, edit the OP

and keep updating this thread throughout the season. I check it for your updates, and I'm sure others do as well (even if we don't post in here very often).

Appreciate it

Lightning's much needed home stretch
Rangers --- W
Philadelphia --- W
Pittsburgh --- L
@ Columbus
Ottawa
Winnipeg
@ Washington
Detroit

So far the Lightning has gotten 4 points on the home stretch. Need around 6 more points during this run to stay in the playoff hunt.
https://espn.go.com/nhl/standings

That was rough, losing in OT and then in a SO the very next game to Washington 5-6. Great job to tough it out and win the very next game in a SO....grueling 3 game stretch. Also big to beat Detroit twice like that....still in 3rd ahead of them in the East

And Stamkos is a boss for skating a month after breaking his leg

Just hope he doesn't rush it and injure himself in Sochi

Boy, the Lightning stole one last night against the NY Islanders. The Lightning looked lethargic, and the Islanders looked better most of the game, but with the Lightning down 2-0 with 3 minutes left. The dead-in-the-water Lightning scored 2 goals in those 3 minutes left to force OT. They earned the much needed 2 points from that effort to keep the playoff dream alive, every point counts!!! Filppula sure was a HUGE off-season acquisition, and yet again, he stepped up in crunch time. The Lightning getting Flippula from Detroit with free-agency & the trade with the Senators for Bishop has been homeruns so far. Sure hope it keeps up while this young team continues to grow.
LINK https://espn.go.com/nhl/recap?gameId=400484755

The Lightning minus Stamkos ESPN article
LINK https://insider.espn.go.com/blog/craig-custance/post?id=723
The Lightning are hanging tough, but they're not the same team without Stamkos. I think it's impossible to not miss someone with his talents, but still, this young team has shown good resiliency during this situation They could've easily picked up their toys and gone home. Sure hope they continue putting in the extra effort.