Michael Stuart: Stamkos-less Lightning in Montreal for Contest with Canadiens

Stamkos and Salo left a void, Aulie is a void ! We need to play even more of a team game. Team scoring is even more important now. I'd like to see Korobov get his first NHL game tonight and destroy a few Montreal midgets.

Stamkos and Salo left a void, Aulie is a void ! We need to play even more of a team game. Team scoring is even more important now. I'd like to see Korobov get his first NHL game tonight and destroy a few Montreal midgets.
- Artyukhin76

I try to remain respectful to all injured players. Each guy brings something.

Any news on the Lightning's lineup tonight, who is in, who is scratched, the lines to start the game?

Any news on the Lightning's lineup tonight, who is in, who is scratched, the lines to start the game?
- stammerman

Just posted in the blog.

I try to remain respectful to all injured players. Each guy brings something.
- Michael_Stuart

I was being to Salo and Stamkos, but Aulie hasn't done anything for us except create a defensive issues. Sorry, but facts are facts.

I was being to Salo and Stamkos, but Aulie hasn't done anything for us except create a defensive issues. Sorry, but facts are facts.
- Artyukhin76

And that's his contribution...

Michael your wish has come true with those lines... You and all of us will finally see what Brett Connolly is really like on a top line. He has the chance, now what can he do with it? I am hoping for good things.

Just posted in the blog.
- Michael_Stuart

And that's his contribution...
- Michael_Stuart

Michael your wish has come true with those lines... You and all of us will finally see what Brett Connolly is really like on a top line. He has the chance, now what can he do with it? I am hoping for good things.
- stammerman

I think it's a very interesting combination with a lot of potential. Both Connolly and Killorn have finishing ability, while Marty is one of the best puck distributors in the game. I'm hoping for good things, too.

Just posted in the blog.
- Michael_Stuart

I really believe that Carle and Gudas have surpassed Salo and Hedman as our top line.

I really hope that Purcell becomes a shoot first player now that Stammer is down, he is capable of 30+ goals a season. We need him, Killorn to continue to play well, and that third line to stay consistent. If Bishop stays good, the defense continues to play their game and Filppula and St Louis leading the young wingers they have a chance at the playoffs. I remain optimistic so far.

I agree, Carle and Gudas get the opponents top line in most of the games I have seen so far. Hedman and Salo only get the top line when our top line goes against the other teams top line. Or so it seems.

I really believe that Carle and Gudas have surpassed Salo and Hedman as our top line.
- Artyukhin76

I really hope that Purcell becomes a shoot first player now that Stammer is down, he is capable of 30+ goals a season. We need him, Killorn to continue to play well, and that third line to stay consistent. If Bishop stays good, the defense continues to play their game and Filppula and St Louis leading the young wingers they have a chance at the playoffs. I remain optimistic so far.
- stammerman

An early win without Stamkos in the lineup would be huge for confidence.

Cooper said it best this morning. Stamkos didn't score until the team's 4th game and they went 2-1-0 in the first three. He's a huge part of the team, but he's not the whole team.

I agree, Carle and Gudas get the opponents top line in most of the games I have seen so far. Hedman and Salo only get the top line when our top line goes against the other teams top line. Or so it seems.
- stammerman

Shutdown assignments, absolutely. Carle and Gudas get the bulk of those minutes. But if we need offense late in a game or need to open things up with puck movement, I want Hedman and Salo out there.

Do you think Connolly plays center or does Killorn get the bulk of faceoffs with that top line? Or will it be Center by committee? Killorn is a natural center and I believe Connolly is a natural winger. Either way I will be watching that line like crazy to see how they do.

Do you think Connolly plays center or does Killorn get the bulk of faceoffs with that top line? Or will it be Center by committee? Killorn is a natural center and I believe Connolly is a natural winger. Either way I will be watching that line like crazy to see how they do.
- stammerman

They have Connolly set at center. That's where he finished the preseason. If it doesn't work out, I'm sure changes will be made.

"For 16 games I think we were just getting to that point where people were starting to look at us and think that we might be for real," Cooper said. "In the second period [Monday], all those people that thought we might be for real went right back to thinking that these guys are done. That's why everybody in [our dressing] room is saying, 'Let's prove to everybody that we're not a fluke.'

"We're up near the top of the standings for a reason and we're going to stay there."

this gets me fired up and im not even on the team

BIG game tonight lightning, lets put it to these bastards and come out on top. it will show a lot of heart and how much they love stammer if they come out flying..i like the lines i see in the blog, theres no lack of scoring in those lines at all. LETS GO BOLTS

connolly filppula st louis
purcell killorn brown
palat johnson panik
crombeen thompson malone

carle-gudas
hedman-sustr
brewer-barberio (if he starts making a fool of himself in our end, korobov)

bishop
lindback


this is what i had for lines in the last blog, i figured fil would be on the top line C and killorn would fill in as 2nd line C

Stammer is a super star, and a top 5 player in the league... but I think we're deep enough to put up a decent record in his absence. Maybe not the top of the east, which looked likely a few days ago, but a wild card spot.

Our defensive depth should not be over looked. Sustr has been great, and probably a better option than Aulie, anyways. Barbeiro has been steady since some early jitters and still slots in as a good bottom pairing guy.

So...

Carle-Gudas
Sustr-Hedman
Barbeiro-Brewer

I wonder how that second pairing would actually be together... both huge, lumbering D-men with decent skating ability and the size to dominate the game.

Could be interesting. As for the O:

St.Louis-Fillpula-Killorn
Purcell-Johnson-Malone
Palat/Panik-Namestnikov-Connolly
Crombeen-Thompson-Brown

Maybe not this game, but down the line this is likely going to be the look of things. I have Zero problem with that line up, considering we're minus a super star.

In all of this the TEAM will only come out better as I feel they believe they are a playoff contender, so without having Stamkos there to rely on for basically a goal a game the TEAM will have to work harder, play harder, work together, and individual players will better themselves. Then when 91 hits the ice again the team will be that much better around him.

Hedman-Sustr have played quite a few minutes together all ready this season. They have played Sustr back as a safety and allowed Hedman to be more active in the neutral zone and offensive zone, I don't think that will change.

Shutdown assignments, absolutely. Carle and Gudas get the bulk of those minutes. But if we need offense late in a game or need to open things up with puck movement, I want Hedman and Salo out there.
- Michael_Stuart

Carle 1g, 8a +6
Hedman 2g, 5a +0-
Gudas 1g, 5a +6
Salo 1g, 4a +3

Honestly, offensively there a wash.

Hedman-Sustr have played quite a few minutes together all ready this season. They have played Sustr back as a safety and allowed Hedman to be more active in the neutral zone and offensive zone, I don't think that will change.
- stammerman

Good to know!

My viewing has been about 50% this season so far. I work up in Northern Alberta and don't have access to view the games about half the month.

Good to know!

My viewing has been about 50% this season so far. I work up in Northern Alberta and don't have access to view the games about half the month.
- OzBolts

My nephew use to work up there on the oil fields.

Tell me again why we have Labre and Crombeen over this juggernaught?
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=umeZRZyss4g
This guy is just punishment on skates