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Missed Chances and Questionable Officiating Cost the Lightning

February 7, 2013, 10:48 PM ET [49 Comments]
Michael Stuart
Ottawa Senators Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
Another day, another road game, another missed opportunity, another Lightning loss. To start the 2013 National Hockey League season, that’s been the story for the Tampa Bay Lightning. Earlier tonight, against the New Jersey Devils, the Lightning put forth an effort that simply isn’t going to win hockey games at the NHL level. The forwards’ timing was off, the defense’s breakout was weak and the Lightning failed to convert on numerous chances during the game. For a team that views itself as a potential division champion, more effort is needed.

Like Tuesday’s game against the Flyers, tonight’s tilt featured a scoreless first period. However, unlike that game, the Lightning came out with a lot of jump and generated a few chances in the early part of the frame. That was short-lived as the Devils did what they do better than any team in the league – they clogged the neutral zone and thwarted the Lightning’s attack. As a result, Anders Lindback was forced to come up with a number of key saves in a period that saw the Devils put eleven shots on goal.

As the game moved into the second period, the Lightning started to look like they were skating in quicksand. The speed, relentless forecheck and puck movement that propelled the Lightning to success earlier in the season was completely absent. Instead, the Bolts allowed the Devils to dictate the pace of play and ultimately open the scoring.

Adam Henrique opened the scoring early in the second as he managed to find a loose puck in the Lightning crease and put it home with conviction. Lindback made the initial save, but seemed to lose track of the puck after it hit him. No other Lightning player picked up on the play and that left Henrique alone to make hay and give the Devils a one goal lead. At that point, thoughts of the Flyers tilt popped into the head of every fan around Bolts Nation.

The Lightning would eventually tie the game when Nate Thompson took a beautiful feed from Martin St. Louis in the slot and wired a shot past Martin Brodeur. Thompson, who saw considerable playing time with St. Louis and Steven Stamkos, played a genuinely solid game and was one of few Lightning players who acted as a consistent presence on the forecheck. If you’re the type who likes silver-linings, there you go.

At that point, things started to look good for the Lightning. The game was tied and it looked like their legs were back in the game. Of course, as has become commonplace on the road this season, the Bolts let that slip away. While shorthanded, Ilya Kovalchuk stole a weak Sami Salo pass, skated down his off-wing, and wired a shot past Anders Lindback. The patience and composure shown by Kovalchuk on the goal was absolutely incredible; he made it look so easy. While that might be a goal that Lindback would like back, it’s hard to blame him given just how talented and deadly Kovalchuk and his shot are.

Things settled down in the third period as both teams found their rhythm and generated some fairly entertaining end-to-end action. Clearly, that wasn’t meant to last as the Lightning found themselves in some “iffy” penalty trouble. First, it was Martin St. Louis who was sent off for tripping, despite the fact that he didn’t make any considerable contact with the Devils player. Watching Marty’s reaction to the call, it was pretty clear that he was just as confused as every member of Bolts Nation. St. Louis isn’t one to complain when he has legitimately done wrong; on this occasion, the referees made a mistake.

Only seconds later, Adam Hall was sent off for high-sticking Travis Zajac. However, according to NHL rules, it shouldn’t have been a penalty. Hall wound up and attempted to slap the puck out of his defensive zone and, on the follow through, his stick hit Zajac. According to Rule 60 in the NHL Rulebook:

A player is permitted accidental contact on an opponent if the act is committed as a normal windup or follow through of a shooting motion.


Clearly Guy Boucher felt the same way as he went on a tirade that ended up with him being assessed a two minute penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct. On a lengthy 5-on-3 chance, the Devils made no mistake. Andy Greene and Patrick Elias scored goals within moments of each other to give the Devils a 4-1 lead that they wouldn’t relinquish, despite allowing a late goal to Matt Carle of the Lightning.

While it’s easy to look at a 4-2 score and make judgments, it’s important to note that the Lightning did have their chances tonight. Vincent Lecavalier missed on a breakaway, Steven Stamkos missed a wide open net and Martin St. Louis had numerous looks in the slot. It just wasn’t their night.

With all that said - give the Devils credit for converting on the chances they were given. In addition to playing a fairly physical game, the Devils were moving the puck well, utilizing everyone on their roster and creating offense from all angles. They looked like the defending Eastern Conference Champions and deserve a lot of credit for their efforts.

Now, with a record of 6-4-0, the Lightning head into the second half of this four game trip. While it’s a little early to be declaring games “must win” contests, these next two games are as close to that designation as can be. This group needs to right the ship and it needs to do so fast.

As always, thanks for reading.
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