With a lull this week before Thursday’s game against the Minnesota Wild at the St. Pete Times Forum, I thought I’d take some time to take the pulse of the readers on a few recent leaguewide and Lightning-related issues.

Please take a second to respond, either via email, private message, forum comment, Twitter @ reply or direct message or Facebook message, to each of the following poll questions.

Results (and commentary) will be posted prior to Thursday’s home game.

1: What did you think of Chris Neil’s hit on Victor Hedman last week? (If you didn’t see the play, I’ve provided a clip below, thanks to NHL.tv.)


A: The hit was clean. Hedman should have had his head up.
B: The hit was dirty. Neil should have at least been assessed a minor penalty on the play.
C: The hit was legal but excessive. Neil should have let up a bit.
D: We wouldn’t even be talking about this had Hedman not been injured.

2: What is your opinion of the instigator rule?

A: Fine as it is.
B: The league should more clearly define what constitutes an instigator, so that referees can call it on a more uniform basis.
C: Allow referees more discretion in calling the penalty.
D: Repeal the instigator rule altogether. Old time hockey!

3: At 6-4-5 through the first fifteen games, what is your reaction to the Lightning’s start to the season?

A: Better than expected.
B: Same as expected.
C: Worse than expected.
D: Too early to even judge.

4: At this point, how do you see the Lightning finishing the regular season?

A: Draft lottery position.
B: Out of the playoffs.
C: Playoff-bound, 5-8 seed.
D: Playoff-bound, 4 seed.
E: Playoff-bound, Southeast Division champs, 1-3 seed.
F: Top seed in the Eastern Conference.
G: President’s Trophy winners.

5: Who has been the Lightning’s MVP so far this season?

A: Victor Hedman
B: Ryan Malone
C: Antero Niittymaki
D: Mattias Ohlund
E: Martin St. Louis
F: Steven Stamkos
G: other

6: If the top five consists of Mattias Ohlund, Victor Hedman, David Hale, Andrej Meszaros and Matt Walker , who would you dress as the Lightning’s sixth defenseman (assuming all are healthy)?

A: Kurtis Foster
B: Lukas Krajicek
C: Matt Smaby

Thank you for your participation.

JJ

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