Wanna blog? Start your own hockey blog with My HockeyBuzz. Register for free today!
 

Bruins Slap Lightning with a Real Wake-up Call

February 22, 2013, 2:41 AM ET [10 Comments]
Michael Stuart
Ottawa Senators Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
Despite the fact that they looked to be building confidence after two straight wins, the Tampa Bay Lightning couldn’t muster enough to get past the Boston Bruins on Thursday night. With a chance to move into first place in the Southeast Division, the Lightning failed to take advantage. Simply put – they were outplayed and outmatched on every level by a team that was described as the crème de la crème in the Eastern Conference by yours truly earlier in the day. When all was said and done, the Bruins skated away with a 4-2 victory and two more points to add to their impressive record.

With Anders Lindback caught way out of position, Nathan Horton opened the scoring with his first of two goals on the night. The goal, which came just over a minute in, highlighted the fact that the Bruins have an innate ability to create chances in so many ways. Horton jumped on the juicy rebound and made no mistake. Without saying much more – that’s a rebound Lindback just can’t allow. Any thought of a good start was deflated right then and there.

Only a few short minutes later, Victor Hedman and Eric Brewer got caught behind the Lightning net allowing Patrice Bergeron to jump into the slot and fire home his third of the season. Once again, while it was a great shot, Lindback really should have that one. He was in position, but somehow the puck squeaked through him. Just like that, the Lightning were down 2-0 against one of the league’s best teams. Say whatever you want about effort or sticking to the system, but that’s not a recipe for success.

Before the first period concluded, Steven Stamkos scored his 11th of the season to bring the Lightning back to within one. Teddy Purcell showed a great deal of calmness and composure in the slot to setup Stamkos for a shot that no goaltender in the league is ever going to stop. From point blank, Stamkos ripped home a wrist shot with unbelievable precision.

Midway through the second period, Cory Conacher did what many thought to be impossible after the Lightning fell down 2-0; he tied the game. Conacher took a pass from Purcell, corralled the bouncing puck, and fired home a shot from the faceoff dot. While Conacher’s sixth of the season might be one that Tuukka Rask would like back, you have to admire Conacher’s speed and shot.

That was all she wrote for the Lightning as Brad Marchand and Tyler Seguin turned a Martin St. Louis chance into a Bruins goal with a great transition towards the end of the second period. Marchand’s ninth of the season was all the Bruins needed to skate away with the win. In addition, Nathan Horton scored the Bruins an insurance marker in the third period for his second of the night.

While it’s easy to look at the Lightning’s effort and admire it, don’t forget that hockey is a business in which players are paid to win. The Lightning didn’t do that on Thursday night. Anders Lindback wasn’t good enough, the big guns failed to spawn a comeback, and the defense was outmatched by a superior opponent. Simply put – last night’s game served as a real wakeup call to anyone who thought that this Lightning team was ready to compete with the elite teams in the Conference.

With last night’s loss, the Lightning are now 3-6-1 in their last ten, and sit in ninth place in the East. Things had better improve quickly if this group is to make the post-season during this shortened season. It’s hard to watch the Lightning struggle with systems that other teams seem to be able to figure out so quickly. With a visibly frustrated head coach, struggling stars, and an impatient fan base, things could go downhill real fast if the Lightning aren’t careful. Luckily, the team is right back in action on Saturday night for a tilt against the division leading Carolina Hurricanes.

As always, thanks for reading.
Join the Discussion: » 10 Comments » Post New Comment
More from Michael Stuart
» Brown, Paul Combine for Canada's Golden Goal at World Championship
» Senators to Select 10th Overall; What Should They Do with the Pick?
» Finding the Right Centerpiece
» Senators Team Awards Ballot
» Melnyk Speaks