Michael Stuart: Special Teams Kill as Lightning Drop Opener to Bruins

Mike, was Drouin going back to Halifax simply a decision made due to the cap situation? I didn't expect the kid with the highest hockey IQ in the draft to be sent down.

Mike, was Drouin going back to Halifax simply a decision made due to the cap situation? I didn't expect the kid with the highest hockey IQ in the draft to be sent down.
- thirstyfin

No. He was outplayed by most of the Lightning's other prospects, and by a pretty wide margin. The team wanted him to get playing time and a defined role; he wasn't going to get that in Tampa.

I don't understand Connolly going down or WHY St Louis didn't get me any points for my pool tonight.

No. He was outplayed by most of the Lightning's other prospects, and by a pretty wide margin. The team wanted him to get playing time and a defined role; he wasn't going to get that in Tampa.
- Michael_Stuart

That's good news for your prospects. Too bad he couldn't go to the AHL, though I'd garner a guess Halifax was excited.

I don't understand Connolly going down or WHY St Louis didn't get me any points for my pool tonight.
- LeftCoaster

We aim to disappoint

That's good news for your prospects. Too bad he couldn't go to the AHL, though I'd garner a guess Halifax was excited.
- thirstyfin

Absolutely. The transfer agreement hurts players like Drouin. He's done everything there is to do in Junior, but he's not quite ready for the NHL. I'm in favor of either abandoning the rule, or implementing some sort of exceptional player status. I'd wager that your guess is probably spot on.

if they can't puck the puck in the net more connolly will be coming back to replace someone soon.

Great write up as usual Michael.

We had some pretty nice stretches (flashes) of brilliance. Team D and an aggressive forecheck are where the improvements were most evident from Cooper's new system. They were batting the pucks off of sticks and had lots of forward pressure creating takeaways (and giveaways) which was obviously causing some frustration for the B's before the 3rd

While they transitioned better than last year, they still sometimes struggled with possession in the neutral zone and had some odd cough ups; without Salo back there, we had a very young D and it was obvious. Brewer i think was our best Dman tonight and Carle I thought was solid. Gudas may need to hold himself in check and choose his spots because he is really showing some skill with his gloves on. i hope Cooper tightens his reins a little more in the future.

The kid line of Palat-Johnson-Panik* and later Killorn looked great and really pressured the D. if we can keep that up, they should provide some fantastic secondary scoring. checking line was really solid.. Stammer line had some good looks and Filppula earned his first paycheck in Bolts blue.

All in all, a tough game, but the boys competed. That's the main thing to take from tonight. When you compete with the Eastern Conf champs, put 33 shots on the board, and frustrate Jarome Igilna into a fight first game back, good things are happening.

GO BOLTS!

Great write up as usual Michael.

We had some pretty nice stretches (flashes) of brilliance. Team D and an aggressive forecheck are where the improvements were most evident from Cooper's new system. They were batting the pucks off of sticks and had lots of forward pressure creating takeaways (and giveaways) which was obviously causing some frustration for the B's before the 3rd

While they transitioned better than last year, they still sometimes struggled with possession in the neutral zone and had some odd cough ups; without Salo back there, we had a very young D and it was obvious. Brewer i think was our best Dman tonight and Carle I thought was solid. Gudas may need to hold himself in check and choose his spots because he is really showing some skill with his gloves on. i hope Cooper tightens his reins a little more in the future.

The kid line of Palat-Johnson-Panik* and later Killorn looked great and really pressured the D. if we can keep that up, they should provide some fantastic secondary scoring. checking line was really solid.. Stammer line had some good looks and Filppula earned his first paycheck in Bolts blue.

All in all, a tough game, but the boys competed. That's the main thing to take from tonight. When you compete with the Eastern Conf champs, put 33 shots on the board, and frustrate Jarome Igilna into a fight first game back, good things are happening.

GO BOLTS!
- Boltdolt84

Much appreciated.

Great write up as usual Michael.

We had some pretty nice stretches (flashes) of brilliance. Team D and an aggressive forecheck are where the improvements were most evident from Cooper's new system. They were batting the pucks off of sticks and had lots of forward pressure creating takeaways (and giveaways) which was obviously causing some frustration for the B's before the 3rd

While they transitioned better than last year, they still sometimes struggled with possession in the neutral zone and had some odd cough ups; without Salo back there, we had a very young D and it was obvious. Brewer i think was our best Dman tonight and Carle I thought was solid. Gudas may need to hold himself in check and choose his spots because he is really showing some skill with his gloves on. i hope Cooper tightens his reins a little more in the future.

The kid line of Palat-Johnson-Panik* and later Killorn looked great and really pressured the D. if we can keep that up, they should provide some fantastic secondary scoring. checking line was really solid.. Stammer line had some good looks and Filppula earned his first paycheck in Bolts blue.

All in all, a tough game, but the boys competed. That's the main thing to take from tonight. When you compete with the Eastern Conf champs, put 33 shots on the board, and frustrate Jarome Igilna into a fight first game back, good things are happening.

GO BOLTS!
- Boltdolt84

I really liked Killorn and Palat in particular. I can't believe how Killorn came out of obscurity into Tampa Bay last year. He kind of reminds me of Ryan Kesler, but maybe it is the jersey number. Seems like he can be a really solid top 6 forward. What do you think his potential is?

I really liked Killorn and Palat in particular. I can't believe how Killorn came out of obscurity into Tampa Bay last year. He kind of reminds me of Ryan Kesler, but maybe it is the jersey number. Seems like he can be a really solid top 6 forward. What do you think his potential is?
- Peterg

Definitely fits into the top-six nicely. I really would love to see a Killorn-Filppula-Connolly line, but that ship has sailed.

I really liked Killorn and Palat in particular. I can't believe how Killorn came out of obscurity into Tampa Bay last year. He kind of reminds me of Ryan Kesler, but maybe it is the jersey number. Seems like he can be a really solid top 6 forward. What do you think his potential is?
- Peterg

pretty much exactly that, solid top 6er and he's decent in the faceoff circle to boot. guy has great puck possession skills, some offensive flair, and responsible defensively. we are definitely luck to have him

Great recap Mike. The penalty shot should have just been a hooking penalty but with Salo out and 3 Dman rookies although Gudas is a stretch to call a rookie but the rookie mistakes led to the short handed goals, barberio and then Gudas playing the man poorly. The power play was disappointing and once again they were waiting for the perfect play to Stammer which the Bruins covered well. They need to shoot and get the dirty goals. I was impressed with their 5 on 5 play , puck possession and shots on goal. Not a good result but a well played game.

Definitely fits into the top-six nicely. I really would love to see a Killorn-Filppula-Connolly line, but that ship has sailed.
- Michael_Stuart

i dont know if i would say sailed. Connolly is only one phone call away

Great recap Mike. The penalty shot should have just been a hooking penalty but with Salo out and 3 Dman rookies although Gudas is a stretch to call a rookie but the rookie mistakes led to the short handed goals, barberio and then Gudas playing the man poorly. The power play was disappointing and once again they were waiting for the perfect play to Stammer which the Bruins covered well. They need to shoot and get the dirty goals. I was impressed with their 5 on 5 play , puck possession and shots on goal. Not a good result but a well played game.
- tpd11

Coop should put out Labrie, Thompson, and Crombeen for a power play. they wouldnt pass as much and i bet they'd light a fire under our top guys. with Barberio having run the pp for Cooper the last 2 years and the poor powerplay showing tonight, i think he gets a shot soon.

Coop should put out Labrie, Thompson, and Crombeen for a power play. they wouldnt pass as much and i bet they'd light a fire under our top guys. with Barberio having run the pp for Cooper the last 2 years and the poor powerplay showing tonight, i think he gets a shot soon.
- Boltdolt84

I thought that trio had a generally solid game. It's nice having a fourth line that we can throw out there for a few minutes without issue.

Coop should put out Labrie, Thompson, and Crombeen for a power play. they wouldnt pass as much and i bet they'd light a fire under our top guys. with Barberio having run the pp for Cooper the last 2 years and the poor powerplay showing tonight, i think he gets a shot soon.
- Boltdolt84

Or they should put Palat, Johnson and Panik out there on the power play just to get a spark. We have a solid forward group but we still have the same issues on defense. Too many turnovers and letting people stand in front of the net shooting on lindback. While cooper has improved the defense a little it's still not enough to make a run in our divison.

i'm sorry, that was one of the weakest penalty shot calls ive ever seen. He barely touched the guy and the guy got his shot off cleanly. However, when the ref blew the whistle wayyy too early on Caron's goal, that evened it out for me. all in all, pretty solid game. A few mistakes by Barberio. Sustr looked really solid out there. Loved the physicality. Radkooooooo! Palat had a really solid game. Loved him out there tonight. Val looked good in his debut with a goal and overall solid play. Dreadful powerplay. sounds all too familiar. SHOOT. THE. PUCK. stop being so predictable. gonna be a very fun year boys. great effort against an amazing Boston team. LETS GO BOLTS!!!

We played a better game. The penalty shot hurt us, a weak call, but it is what it is. If I have a choice between Rask and Lindback, I'd take Rask 8 days a week. Good shot totals and a great display of team toughness (did you see that dingman, you Metrosexual pansy?). I will NEVER fully understand why a great, clean hit results in a fight? What's the matter Iggy, your ego (and your ass) bruised? We did ALOT of good things tonight, now just fix the over anxious PP and put Bishop in.

i'm sorry, that was one of the weakest penalty shot calls ive ever seen. He barely touched the guy and the guy got his shot off cleanly. However, when the ref blew the whistle wayyy too early on Caron's goal, that evened it out for me. all in all, pretty solid game. A few mistakes by Barberio. Sustr looked really solid out there. Loved the physicality. Radkooooooo! Palat had a really solid game. Loved him out there tonight. Val looked good in his debut with a goal and overall solid play. Dreadful powerplay. sounds all too familiar. SHOOT. THE. PUCK. stop being so predictable. gonna be a very fun year boys. great effort against an amazing Boston team. LETS GO BOLTS!!!
- BoltsFan4Life

Then you should read the Bruins blogger. He calls it that he was hauled down by Barberio and awarded a PS. Hauled down is this guy on drugs or was he just listening to The Bruins announcers. Must be blind, that was one of the weakest calls I've seen.

i'm sorry, that was one of the weakest penalty shot calls ive ever seen. He barely touched the guy and the guy got his shot off cleanly. However, when the ref blew the whistle wayyy too early on Caron's goal, that evened it out for me. all in all, pretty solid game. A few mistakes by Barberio. Sustr looked really solid out there. Loved the physicality. Radkooooooo! Palat had a really solid game. Loved him out there tonight. Val looked good in his debut with a goal and overall solid play. Dreadful powerplay. sounds all too familiar. SHOOT. THE. PUCK. stop being so predictable. gonna be a very fun year boys. great effort against an amazing Boston team. LETS GO BOLTS!!!
- BoltsFan4Life

Then you should read the Bruins blogger. He calls it that he was hauled down by Barberio and awarded a PS. Hauled down is this guy on drugs or was he just listening to The Bruins announcers. Must be blind, that was one of the weakest calls I've seen.

I don't understand Connolly going down or WHY St Louis didn't get me any points for my pool tonight.
- LeftCoaster

Either do we.

great blog michael no rust on you from the summer on the recaps , very good one..

we were the better team 5-on-5 and we outshot them , they are a solid team and we outplayed them , we just had poopty special teams like the blog said...

i thought lindback was good for us tonight, he bit hard oon the fake shot on the penalty shot but almost got him with a poke check on a great 2nd effort to make the save, but that was a sick deke..

dont know what iginla was trying to prove, but whartever it was it gave him a standing ovation so i guess it worked out......

radkos crosscheck at the end wasnt friendly, but i dont think he intended to give it to him quite that hard , sometimes when you get the crosschecks the guy stays up and the guy ges down it all depends on the sudden impact of the crosscheck so oh well

all in all a fantastic awesome game if you take away the PP/PK...i hope i dont have to say thatall year, its hard to think i will with st louis stamkos hedman carle filppula purcell and the gun line all options for the pp.....we should have one of the best

We played a better game. The penalty shot hurt us, a weak call, but it is what it is. If I have a choice between Rask and Lindback, I'd take Rask 8 days a week. Good shot totals and a great display of team toughness (did you see that dingman, you Metrosexual pansy?). I will NEVER fully understand why a great, clean hit results in a fight? What's the matter Iggy, your ego (and your ass) bruised? We did ALOT of good things tonight, now just fix the over anxious PP and put Bishop in.
- Artyukhin76

ya lindback played decent but made mistakes! when they had the penalty shot somehow I knew they would score before the shot took place.