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Lightning in New York for Tilt with Struggling Islanders

December 17, 2013, 2:26 PM ET [16 Comments]
Michael Stuart
Ottawa Senators Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
The Tampa Bay Lightning organization (19-11-3) will look to build on Sunday’s 3-0 win in Detroit tonight, as they take on the New York Islanders (9-19-6) at the Nassau Coliseum. Since last season the Bolts and Islanders have both made complete 180-degree turns. After finishing with the third overall pick in 2013, Tampa currently sits right up near the top of the Eastern Conference. On the other hand, New York is struggling mightily this year following a nice run to the playoffs last season. Tonight’s game, the first of three meetings between the two foes this year, is a big one for both clubs.

While nothing has been set in stone as of time of writing, Jon Cooper is expected to dress a Lightning lineup similar to the one that downed the Red Wings. The only change that has been confirmed so far, as per Damian Cristodero, is that BJ Crombeen will slot in for Dana Tyrell. Ben Bishop will get the start in net for the Bolts.

Palat-Johnson-St. Louis
Killorn-Filppula-Purcell
Brown-Thompson-Kucherov
Panik-Crombeen

As you can see, the team will once again dress 11 forwards and seven defensemen. That setup has worked wonders for Jon Cooper thus far, as he continues to deal with injuries throughout his lineup. Ryan Malone and Victor Hedman are the two big (literally) pieces missing for Tampa tonight, as they both continue to rehabilitate from injuries.

With a record of 5-3-2 in their last ten games, the Steven Stamkos-less Lightning have remained right in the thick of the Eastern Conference playoff race. When you consider that the team has been without its number one goal scorer, number one defender, and a lot of depth for large stretches of this 2013-14 campaign, that’s pretty remarkable.

While goal scoring has been a big issue for the Lightning over the last month or so, they’ll have a great opportunity to light the lamp tonight against an Islanders team that is allowing a whopping 3.41 (!) goals per game. Having only won one of their last ten games, the Islanders are in freefall. Tonight’s game provides Tampa Bay with the chance to pick up a second straight road victory, and two very important points. As easy as it would be to overlook the Islanders, the Bolts must remain focused on the task at hand.

It will be interesting to see how the Lightning respond tonight after beating a division rival in a very important game on Sunday. As mentioned, looking past the woeful Islanders would be quite easy for the Bolts. Games against bottom-feeders are often the toughest to play, as the minds of many players tend to wander. The key for Tampa tonight is to just go out and play the game the right way. Jon Cooper won’t be happy with anything less.

As always, thanks for reading.
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