Michael Stuart: Rangers Spoil Lightning's Home Stand Record

seemed off yet still almost win. just shows you how good this team is that they can play bad and still almost win. i think we go 2-1-1 on this road trip. maybe 3-1. not sure about the bos/ranger back to back weekend.

Michael Stuart: Rangers Spoil Lightning's Home Stand Record
- Michael_Stuart

Was flicking to the Lighting game during commercial breaks of the Bruins and I must say I have been very impressed with Tampa's play thus far. Hedman looks like a different player this year, does that have anything to do with the additions of Carle and Salo? Its good to see them playing so well, they have a great deal of talent and should be one of the better teams this year. I was looking at the standing earlier and saw the Lighting are +18 in goal differential. Do you think that has more to do with the improved play of Lindback and the defense, or the abundance of offense?

seemed off yet still almost win. just shows you how good this team is that they can play bad and still almost win. i think we go 2-1-1 on this road trip. maybe 3-1. not sure about the bos/ranger back to back weekend.
- boltsfan48

I think you'll see teams take more of a defensive stance against us. The Rangers demonstrated how to beat the Lightning tonight. Don't try to outscore the Bolts; suffocate them. The Rangers waited for their opportunities and then took advantage. That's how to beat this team.

Was flicking to the Lighting game during commercial breaks of the Bruins and I must say I have been very impressed with Tampa's play thus far. Hedman looks like a different player this year, does that have anything to do with the additions of Carle and Salo? Its good to see them playing so well, they have a great deal of talent and should be one of the better teams this year. I was looking at the standing earlier and saw the Lighting are +18 in goal differential. Do you think that has more to do with the improved play of Lindback and the defense, or the abundance of offense?
- fudd1689

On Hedman: I think having him play with Salo has been great for his development. Salo has been a calming influence and that seems to have rubbed off on Hedman. However, I think we also need to look at his time in the KHL when he was playing big minutes and a big role. He's a young player coming into his own and I agree with you, he looks like a different guy this season. He's doing a lot of little things with his stick that you don't notice until you start looking for them. Very smart player.

On Goal Differential: A little bit of both. Obviously the offense is scoring like no tomorrow right now, but the goaltending has also been much better this season compared to last. Scoring was never a problem for this group, goaltending and defense was. Now, with a defense that is better able to transition the puck, the Bolts' offensive guns are reaping the rewards. This team transitions so quickly; it's a treat to watch.

Thanks for reading and hope I've answered your questions!

On Hedman: I think having him play with Salo has been great for his development. Salo has been a calming influence and that seems to have rubbed off on Hedman. However, I think we also need to look at his time in the KHL when he was playing big minutes and a big role. He's a young player coming into his own and I agree with you, he looks like a different guy this season. He's doing a lot of little things with his stick that you don't notice until you start looking for them. Very smart player.

On Goal Differential: A little bit of both. Obviously the offense is scoring like no tomorrow right now, but the goaltending has also been much better this season compared to last. Scoring was never a problem for this group, goaltending and defense was. Now, with a defense that is better able to transition the puck, the Bolts' offensive guns are reaping the rewards. This team transitions so quickly; it's a treat to watch.

Thanks for reading and hope I've answered your questions!
- Michael_Stuart

Yes, thanks for the added insight! Really looking forward to the Bruins/Lightning matchup next saturday. Battle of the two best teams in the conference thus far.

Yes, thanks for the added insight! Really looking forward to the Bruins/Lightning matchup next saturday. Battle of the two best teams in the conference thus far.
- fudd1689

As am I. It should be a great one!

As am I. It should be a great one!
- Michael_Stuart

I shall be in attendance, hope to see a fun game and a bolts W

Yay! The Rangers are back!
Nah, I'm just kidding they still suck.

I think you'll see teams take more of a defensive stance against us. The Rangers demonstrated how to beat the Lightning tonight. Don't try to outscore the Bolts; suffocate them. The Rangers waited for their opportunities and then took advantage. That's how to beat this team.
- Michael_Stuart

That was the best defensive effort of the season by the Rangers. They did a good job in general but did get caught with their D jumping in a couple of times which led to 2 on 1's. Thankfully for the Rangers Biron was very good tonight.

That was the best defensive effort of the season by the Rangers. They did a good job in general but did get caught with their D jumping in a couple of times which led to 2 on 1's. Thankfully for the Rangers Biron was very good tonight.
- Glen Miller

Biron was real solid.

It couldn't last forever. Get back to winning on Tuesday. Rangers are a good team and they earned that win. Go Bolts!!!

It couldn't last forever. Get back to winning on Tuesday. Rangers are a good team and they earned that win. Go Bolts!!!
- Artyukhin76

But....but.....but....I wanted it to

Perimeter shooting and sloppy passing won't beat the Rangers. I'll give credit to the Rangers they suffocated us and took us off our game. Some of the Penalties seemed a little incosistant but I'm not going to let that take credit away from the Rangers for the win. I had a feeling when they opened playing a run and gun style it would poop them out since they played Friday. Still to come with in 1 on a rested GOOD team is prettty good. Now time to go spank the Cryers.

Have I told you I enjoy your blogs and the fact that you socialize with your audience I wish our blogger didn't troll for hits and actually had something enlightening to share with his posters once in a while.

Good game and give credit to the Rangers for playing just the type of game needed to shut down a good offense. The Rangers look to be back to form after a tough start, so do the Pens . Tough road trip coming up with the Bruins/Rangers back to back next weekend. Three of the better defensive teams coming up this will be a good test for the Bolts.

Yay! The Rangers are back!
Nah, I'm just kidding they still suck.
- GOODPLAYA20

Huh?

Have I told you I enjoy your blogs and the fact that you socialize with your audience I wish our blogger didn't troll for hits and actually had something enlightening to share with his posters once in a while.
- twistedwrister9

Thank you for the kind words, and thank for reading!

Good game and give credit to the Rangers for playing just the type of game needed to shut down a good offense. The Rangers look to be back to form after a tough start, so do the Pens . Tough road trip coming up with the Bruins/Rangers back to back next weekend. Three of the better defensive teams coming up this will be a good test for the Bolts.
- tpd11

This trip is a huge test. The road wasn't kind to us last year

Is it me or does Anders Lindback (from his Lightning picture)look like Sean Burke?

Is it me or does Anders Lindback (from his Lightning picture)look like Sean Burke?
- Artyukhin76

Hahah I see it. A younger looking Sean Burke.

I am ready to convert

Umm why is Garon even listed on the player of the game vote? Last 2 goals were of the softer variety and his rebound control was lacking to say the least.

Well played game by the Rags as they controlled the play and the puck for long stretches of the game but given we were playing back to back some of that was expected. We had lots of chances on top of Conacher's crossbar and Crombeen's no goal so all in all I'm not too upset at the results. Go Bolts!!!

I am ready to convert
- homiedclown

Ummmmmmmmmmmm, What?

With that loss to Rangers I expected tsn to drop us to 30th and say its a lost season on there rankings, but we didn't move. Curious?