Michael Stuart: Capitals Extinguish Lightning's Hope for a Late Season Comeback

Well put.

Michael Stuart: Capitals Extinguish Lightning's Hope for a Late Season Comeback
- Michael_Stuart

Who saw this coming?

Who saw this coming?
- systemtool

Everybody....? I don't think there was anybody who thought the Lightning were going to make the playoffs; it was nice to dream about though.

Well put.
- tyler20c

Thanks.

Everybody....? I don't think there was anybody who thought the Lightning were going to make the playoffs; it was nice to dream about though.
- Michael_Stuart

My drunk friend made a bet today that the lightning would go farther in the playoffs this year than the Bruins.

My drunk friend made a bet today that the lightning would go farther in the playoffs this year than the Bruins.
- aeberg

I'll take that bet!

I'll take that bet!
- AlexMaclean

I'll get you his number!

Michael Stuart: Capitals Extinguish Lightning's Hope for a Late Season Comeback
- Michael_Stuart

there's a reason ottawa was willing to give up bishop. he's an nhler, no question, but not worth what they paid.

there's a reason ottawa was willing to give up bishop. he's an nhler, no question, but not worth what they paid.
- therealagent

Realistically, none of us have any idea what Bishop might be worth to Tampa right now. Give it time. It's been three games. The amount of panic on these boards is overwhelming at times.

OVIE FOR MVP!!! HES BACK!!!

Realistically, none of us have any idea what Bishop might be worth to Tampa right now. Give it time. It's been three games. The amount of panic on these boards is overwhelming at times.
- Michael_Stuart

Seems like Yzerman put this season in the hands of a questionable goalie and has done it again. For a team with a lot of older players with big contracts, the Lightning have taken a suspect approach to their netminding.

Seems like Yzerman put this season in the hands of a questionable goalie and has done it again. For a team with a lot of older players with big contracts, the Lightning have taken a suspect approach to their netminding.
- micah555

He put this season in the hands of a young goaltender who is still developing. Other than Martin St. Louis, the core of this team is young. I don't really have a problem with the move.

He put this season in the hands of a young goaltender who is still developing. Other than Martin St. Louis, the core of this team is young. I don't really have a problem with the move.
- Michael_Stuart

Sure, the core, but Salo, Ohlund, Malone and Lecavalier are all past their prime. Burning a year and then trading a young talent for another question mark in goal is pretty much going to the roulette wheel again after losing your pay cheque on it the pay day before.

Sure, the core, but Salo, Ohlund, Malone and Lecavalier are all past their prime. Burning a year and then trading a young talent for another question mark in goal is pretty much going to the roulette wheel again after losing your pay cheque on it the pay day before.
- micah555

Ohlund has basically been injured since 2011 and most likely won't play again. Salo has been a great mentor for Hedman but can be replaced via free agency or with a guy from Syracuse when the time comes. Malone is always injured and hasn't been part of the core this season. Lecavalier isn't really showing any signs of slowing down quite yet and he's the perfect complement to Stamkos.

Stamkos, Purcell, Connolly, Hedman, Gudas, Killorn, Carle, Thompson, Johnson, Panik, Palat and the guys in Syracuse form the basis of what's being built here. Lindback and Bishop will be fine; it's a bit premature to give up on them completely. Guy Boucher's coaching made the goaltending stats look much worse than they should/could have been. Through just a short stint with Jon Cooper, the defensive structure has been so much better. As time goes on, I only expect that to get better.

Give me next year before I actually start calling for an experienced number one guy in the net. People forget that Vasilevski is the future of this team in net. He's probably three years away. I don't have any reason to believe that Lindback/Bishop can't hold the fort until then. The young core here will continue to grow, and it should all come together at the right time. Have faith.

Yeah, it looks like the Lightning will probably miss the playoffs, but Syracuse should get some good players back and go on a playoff run of their own.

Yzerman should have had the balls to pull the trigger on the trade for Miller...a proven #1 in a system where the D-men leave the goalie out to dry just like Tampa does. Miller has been great lately...last 8 -10 games with a .930 while facing 35 shots per game...just the facts. And don't tell me that he waan't worth it...after Bishops 1.5 game high after being traded, his true capabilities are now on full display! what a waste for Conacher! A little more and the Bo
TA might have. Even contending for 8th rather than pretending.
Next Yzerman needs to either dictate a better defensive system be implemented or over haul the D-men who can actually defend and break out of their zone...or get a coach who can teach it! Well, you get what you overpay for!

Michael Stuart: Capitals Extinguish Lightning's Hope for a Late Season Comeback
- Michael_Stuart

Nice Blog

this team confuses me more then the Sabres

Well, our 20th anniversary season wasn't the glorious one we all hoped for. There where some pretty ugly games, pretty sad games and very insparational games.
Has Mr. Yzerman been perfect in all his transactions? no. Has he made improvements to the team? yes. Was Guy Boucher a good coach? Yes. Was he to stubborn or unable to change his style to suit the NHL coaches adaption of our teams play? No. Is Jon Cooper the right choice for going forward? Only time will tell, but I trust him. I know there are ALOT of pissed off Lightning fans that wanted more from this season as I did, but I will continue to preach long term competitiveness until I no longer see it paying dividends.

Yzerman should have had the balls to pull the trigger on the trade for Miller...a proven #1 in a system where the D-men leave the goalie out to dry just like Tampa does. Miller has been great lately...last 8 -10 games with a .930 while facing 35 shots per game...just the facts. And don't tell me that he waan't worth it...after Bishops 1.5 game high after being traded, his true capabilities are now on full display! what a waste for Conacher! A little more and the Bo
TA might have. Even contending for 8th rather than pretending.
Next Yzerman needs to either dictate a better defensive system be implemented or over haul the D-men who can actually defend and break out of their zone...or get a coach who can teach it! Well, you get what you overpay for!
- IonSabres

Miller has been terrible all year or really the defense. Where do you draw the line on goalie capabilities and defensive corps abilities. don't want anything from Buffalo period.

Seems like Yzerman put this season in the hands of a questionable goalie and has done it again. For a team with a lot of older players with big contracts, the Lightning have taken a suspect approach to their netminding.
- micah555

nothing wrong with Bishop two deflected shots got by him but if you watched the game instead of highlights you would have seen a lot of great saves.

Sure, the core, but Salo, Ohlund, Malone and Lecavalier are all past their prime. Burning a year and then trading a young talent for another question mark in goal is pretty much going to the roulette wheel again after losing your pay cheque on it the pay day before.
- micah555

Salo has played up to snuff and Ohlund is going to retire to behind the bench. Malone is like Kessler injured and of little use playing time. Vinny has been okay not up to number one line but like the sisters getting older. Our young core has been great and with numbers still down in Syracuse so I wouldn't worry about an aging team but a team up against the cap with nowhere to go but lose assets and without all your loser points fighting for a playoff spot. Thanks for your input after three games with a 2.03 GAA and .945 save percentage you really know your hockey.

It's official, I'm pulling for the Blackhawks in the west and hopefully the Leafs in the east, despite that (frank)ing Toronto troll Systemtool . I've always respected both teams and hope they meet in finals .

there's a reason ottawa was willing to give up bishop. he's an nhler, no question, but not worth what they paid.
- therealagent

And there's a reason the Bolts were willing to give up Conacher. Those of us who have watched Conacher all year feel we sold high on him. It's only been 3 games and you have already booked this trade's winner and loser. Patience is a virtue

Ohlund has basically been injured since 2011 and most likely won't play again. Salo has been a great mentor for Hedman but can be replaced via free agency or with a guy from Syracuse when the time comes. Malone is always injured and hasn't been part of the core this season. Lecavalier isn't really showing any signs of slowing down quite yet and he's the perfect complement to Stamkos.

Stamkos, Purcell, Connolly, Hedman, Gudas, Killorn, Carle, Thompson, Johnson, Panik, Palat and the guys in Syracuse form the basis of what's being built here. Lindback and Bishop will be fine; it's a bit premature to give up on them completely. Guy Boucher's coaching made the goaltending stats look much worse than they should/could have been. Through just a short stint with Jon Cooper, the defensive structure has been so much better. As time goes on, I only expect that to get better.

Give me next year before I actually start calling for an experienced number one guy in the net. People forget that Vasilevski is the future of this team in net. He's probably three years away. I don't have any reason to believe that Lindback/Bishop can't hold the fort until then. The young core here will continue to grow, and it should all come together at the right time. Have faith.
- Michael_Stuart

Gotta love Monday morning quarterbacks who don't know the facts. People, Ohlund hasn't played in 2 years and will never play in the NHL again. Please stop listing or including him in the Bolts "core"