Michael Stuart: Game 8 Preview: Lightning vs. Rangers

Your first paragraph said it all

No matter what, it's great the bolts have taken advantage of the opportunities on this homestand, but this is easily the biggest test to date.

Actually, while not earth-shattering or as good as the Lighting's top guys, the numbers for the Rangers top three are good. They've combined for eight goals and 20 points in seven games. They haven't been the problem; it's the second line that isn't helping. Callahan, Stepan, Hagelin ann Kreider have combined for 2 goals in 23 games.

Actually, while not earth-shattering or as good as the Lighting's top guys, the numbers for the Rangers top three are good. They've combined for eight goals and 20 points in seven games. They haven't been the problem; it's the second line that isn't helping. Callahan, Stepan, Hagelin ann Kreider have combined for 2 goals in 23 games.
- gkmkiller

Sorry, Glen. Going to have to disagree with you there. If I'm the Rangers and I'm paying Rick Nash $7.8M per year, I want more than 1 goal and 6 points by now. Lecavalier looks like a steal, comparatively.

Sorry, Glen. Going to have to disagree with you there. If I'm the Rangers and I'm paying Rick Nash $7.8M per year, I want more than 1 goal and 6 points by now. Lecavalier looks like a steal, comparatively.
- Michael_Stuart

Lecavalier is off to a good start, but let's not get carried away here. Nash has been playing well without little support, other than his line mates. Lecavalier can blend into an offense boasting the best goal scorer in the world, along with St. Louis, Purcell, Conacher and Malone; all of whom have gotten off to very good starts.

Lightning can take advantage of match ups, teams can't key on one line against them. The Rangers top line is getting squat as far as support goes.

Less pressure on Lecavalier to produce than Nash. And despite the one goal, Nash has been the Rangers best forward so far this season. Not even close actually.

Sorry, Glen. Going to have to disagree with you there. If I'm the Rangers and I'm paying Rick Nash $7.8M per year, I want more than 1 goal and 6 points by now. Lecavalier looks like a steal, comparatively.
- Michael_Stuart

He'll get his goals, no doubt. I also think Gabby doesn't have five goals right now without Nash. Right now the puck isn't finding the back of the net but they will. Tell you what, friendly wager on this, Nash will finish with more goals at the end of the season barring injuries to either player, than Lecavalier.

Looking forward to watching Brad Richards and John Tortorella again tonight. This year I think we can say that the Lightning do not miss Brad Richards with both Lecavalier and Stamkos scoring and skating.

Need a solid effort tonight by not letting up in the second period and helping out the defence. The Rangers can be a tough physical team to play. Will be interesting to see if last night's game tired out Lightning. Hope not.

I hope you guys win tonight

He'll get his goals, no doubt. I also think Gabby doesn't have five goals right now without Nash. Right now the puck isn't finding the back of the net but they will. Tell you what, friendly wager on this, Nash will finish with more goals at the end of the season barring injuries to either player, than Lecavalier.
- gkmkiller

No bet. No bet. No bet. Like I said in the blog, there's too much talent on the Rangers roster for them not to wake up at some point. I just hope it's not tonight.

Excited to watch the first period (gotta go to bed early for work), go Lightning go.

I'm still pretty confident though that if this team keeps playing the same brand of hockey it has been playing the past 5 games, they will get the 2 points. Will be interesting to see how things pan out.

Looking forward to watching Brad Richards and John Tortorella again tonight. This year I think we can say that the Lightning do not miss Brad Richards with both Lecavalier and Stamkos scoring and skating.

Need a solid effort tonight by not letting up in the second period and helping out the defence. The Rangers can be a tough physical team to play. Will be interesting to see if last night's game tired out Lightning. Hope not.
- Leafsandbolts

If Lindback holds up, I like them to win the Southeast Division this season. Nice additions to the blueline, in Carle and Salo, and the forward units look solid.

Lindback is the question mark, mostly because he is unproven as a starter, but so far he looks very good.

If Lindback holds up, I like them to win the Southeast Division this season. Nice additions to the blueline, in Carle and Salo, and the forward units look solid.

Lindback is the question mark, mostly because he is unproven as a starter, but so far he looks very good.
- MidnightMarauder

Looking forward to watching Brad Richards and John Tortorella again tonight. This year I think we can say that the Lightning do not miss Brad Richards with both Lecavalier and Stamkos scoring and skating.

Need a solid effort tonight by not letting up in the second period and helping out the defence. The Rangers can be a tough physical team to play. Will be interesting to see if last night's game tired out Lightning. Hope not.
- Leafsandbolts

I still miss Brad Richards.....

I still miss Brad Richards.....
- Michael_Stuart

I do and I don't. I miss his scoring touch, but not his whimpiness.

This is not the style of game I'm used to watching

Sorry, Glen. Going to have to disagree with you there. If I'm the Rangers and I'm paying Rick Nash $7.8M per year, I want more than 1 goal and 6 points by now. Lecavalier looks like a steal, comparatively.
- Michael_Stuart

Yeah, let's see how long the Lightning can keep this unreal GPG pace up. My bet is very long. Watching their games, everything is going in for them now. Everything seems to be working, it doesn't last like that for long.

In addition, the Lightning are giving up 2 or 3 goals a game, easy. Eventually, when the offense stops clicking, that's going to come around and bite you in the ass.

Yeah, let's see how long the Lightning can keep this unreal GPG pace up. My bet is very long. Watching their games, everything is going in for them now. Everything seems to be working, it doesn't last like that for long.

In addition, the Lightning are giving up 2 or 3 goals a game, easy. Eventually, when the offense stops clicking, that's going to come around and bite you in the ass.
- _Zippy_

Nobody is expecting the Lightning to put up 8 goals a game all season long. Is 3 a reasonable number? Probably.

"Everything is going in..." -- You make it sound like it's luck. You've got to make plays to score goals and, right now, that's happening.

I don't know if you're watching tonight's game between the Lightning and Rangers, but the guys are proving that they can play the grinding game too. You seem a little bitter.

Right now the Bolts are allowing 2.57 goals per game. Hey, that's good for 12th in the league.

Right now the Bolts are allowing 2.57 goals per game. Hey, that's good for 12th in the league.
- Michael_Stuart

And a good couple of those goals were stupid lapses that should have never occurred. Easily correctable.

Bit of a sloppy game as of right now, clearly they're a step slower than the past few games.

Really hope Vinny is alright.

Too sloppy at times, Rangers commentators said it was the best game that New York has played all year. I'll take it.

Thought Garon was really solid.
Good for Stammer to get 2 more.
Too many bad passes, especially in the offensive zone, good couple times the lightning basically passed it back to Garon from the other side of the ice.
There were glimmers of the slick passing team that has been n the ice recently, but it was not a good enough overall game to win tonight.