Michael Stuart: Connolly Leads Lightning Past Predators

The future is bright!! I love it!

The future is bright!! I love it!
- bradstar

If there's one thing that I want you to take away after reading this blog, that's it. So much of what happened tonight was thanks to the 'Tampacuse' guys.

If there's one thing that I want you to take away after reading this blog, that's it. So much of what happened tonight was thanks to the 'Tampacuse' guys.
- Michael_Stuart

9 tampacuse points in this game...

9 tampacuse points in this game...
- Boltdolt84

Gotta love that!

Love to see the kid have success at the NHL level.

Love to see the kid have success at the NHL level.
- LeftCoaster

Me too!

Me too!
- Michael_Stuart

BC kids have a special place with me and my daughter went to College Heights high school with him, so I've been following his career. He's gonna be good! Not good with math though haha.

Really starting to think that Drouin won't be sticking around with the team. That's just a hunch though. Made a nifty play during the 2nd period.

Though at this point, that's a good problem to have.

Really starting to think that Drouin won't be sticking around with the team. That's just a hunch though. Made a nifty play during the 2nd period.
- norbs

Quotes indicate that Cooper's still pretty excited about him, but I'd have to agree with you at this point. I think they have to give him an opportunity on the wing before sending him back to Junior, though.

BC kids have a special place with me and my daughter went to College Heights high school with him, so I've been following his career. He's gonna be good! Not good with math though haha.
- LeftCoaster

I've liked him since his days with the Cougars. He's got a unique blend of skill, drive, and size. So much potential.

this is such a tease knowing the games are going on and not being able to watch!

Heard Riku had a pretty impressive half of hockey. Hope this guy can put things together. Could see him taking over 3rd place on the depth chart if he can get the consistency

ya it's time for connolly to make this team he has earned it

ya it's time for connolly to make this team he has earned it
- todd1a

a few more games like this and it would be real hard not to give him a real shot

A good win. A little sloppy in the 3rd with careless penalties, but overall a good game.

A good win. A little sloppy in the 3rd with careless penalties, but overall a good game.
- Artyukhin76

That is what I'm talking about Score early Score often and put it out of reach. Yes still a preseason but better effort all around. I hope they aren't making a mistake trying to move Drouin. I'd rather see him in his natural position and build his confidence than experiment so early with changing him. I know they have a lot of people to look at during pre season but why try now? I'm a little confused by this move.

That is what I'm talking about Score early Score often and put it out of reach. Yes still a preseason but better effort all around. I hope they aren't making a mistake trying to move Drouin. I'd rather see him in his natural position and build his confidence than experiment so early with changing him. I know they have a lot of people to look at during pre season but why try now? I'm a little confused by this move.
- tpd11

Honestly though, a Drouin-Johnson-Connolly line would give us a 3rd line scoring threat.

Honestly though, a Drouin-Johnson-Connolly line would give us a 3rd line scoring threat.
- Artyukhin76

Malone stamkos st. Louis
killorn filppula Purcell <-- (love this line)
drouin Johnson Connolly
crombeen Thompson panik

hedman salo
carle gudas
brewer aulie
barberio/sustr

Johnson is playing tonight

Malone stamkos st. Louis
killorn filppula Purcell <-- (love this line)
drouin Johnson Connolly
crombeen Thompson panik

hedman salo
carle gudas
brewer aulie
barberio/sustr
- RileyB77

Crombeen can play either wing so I think Palat and Panik are fighting for that fourth line spot. Not really sold on Barberio, I think Korobov has a better shot of making it.

Johnson is playing tonight
- RileyB77

T-e-e J-a-y!!

Crombeen can play either wing so I think Palat and Panik are fighting for that fourth line spot. Not really sold on Barberio, I think Korobov has a better shot of making it.
- Artyukhin76

both are making good impressions thus far .. not sure about the D, I remember you mentioned korobov a few months back, maybe you were right lol!

hell yea TJ gonna light er up tonight

Finally saw the hit. Yes the principle point of contact is shoulder to head, but WTF Sobotka? He looked right at Erne and did nothing. 3 games for Erne is fine, but Sobotka should get one for being a dumbass.

Was at the game last night. I thought Tyler Johnson had a great game. Very quick and explosive. Yzerman and Cooper will have some hard decisions regarding which
forwards to keep. Lot's good options. Do you keep Connolly ? Can Drouin be good enough to warrant a roster spot ? He has nothing to gain by going back to juniors.
Malone looks like he can be a force again. The biggest thing to me last night was the 180 in the systems. Hard forecheck, defense stepping up and actually taking the body. The breakout was quick with short passes with an emphasis on getting the puck up the ice as fast as possible. I like Coopers style, should be a lot of fun.