Michael Stuart: Lightning Looking to Get Back on Track with Islanders in Town

I'll get it started. Should be three easy wins in the next 4 days.

Time for Stammer for a 5 point night 3 goals 2 assists 7-1 Bolts. No problem tonight.

The Isles are a better team because of the sum of their parts; though many names go unnoticed, NYI's play is actually quite solid overall.

It'll be a good test tonight to see how the Bolts rebound after a middling week.

C'mon Stammer, lets see one of those crazy games you throw down every now and then.

The Isles are a better team because of the sum of their parts; though many names go unnoticed, NYI's play is actually quite solid overall.

It'll be a good test tonight to see how the Bolts rebound after a middling week.

C'mon Stammer, lets see one of those crazy games you throw down every now and then.
- OzBolts

Maybe I'm wrong, but I really don't think he looks nearly as explosive as he did pre-injury. We see flashes of it (like in the Detroit game), but it hasn't been consistently spectacular. We can all look at his goal totals and smile, but I think it's also important to look at his overall play; I haven't been overly impressed, personally.

Maybe I'm wrong, but I really don't think he looks nearly as explosive as he did pre-injury. We see flashes of it (like in the Detroit game), but it hasn't been consistently spectacular. We can all look at his goal totals and smile, but I think it's also important to look at his overall play; I haven't been overly impressed, personally.
- Michael_Stuart

Geez, debbie downer here. Of course he won't be as explosive as pre-injury. His type of injury takes a long time to get over 100% if at all, like Jon Cooper said last week he is continuing to get better and lets see where he is in a year from now. I loved and hated he rushed himself back into the lineup last year because the kid is a warrior. He is still dealing with quite a few side affects from the injury and two surgeries, and there is still a third surgery like to happen in the off season. He is in the top 5 of overall ice time 5v5 in the league and a staple on the power play. He is doing everything he can. He play looks good to me, they no longer play him on the PK or start in the defensive zone plus his linemates have been a mish mash of players all season long. What I see is him now trusting the leg and going to the dirty areas, his instinct taking over more and more this season along with the explosiveness coming back little by little.

Geez, debbie downer here. Of course he won't be as explosive as pre-injury. His type of injury takes a long time to get over 100% if at all, like Jon Cooper said last week he is continuing to get better and lets see where he is in a year from now. I loved and hated he rushed himself back into the lineup last year because the kid is a warrior. He is still dealing with quite a few side affects from the injury and two surgeries, and there is still a third surgery like to happen in the off season. He is in the top 5 of overall ice time 5v5 in the league and a staple on the power play. He is doing everything he can. He play looks good to me, they no longer play him on the PK or start in the defensive zone plus his linemates have been a mish mash of players all season long. What I see is him now trusting the leg and going to the dirty areas, his instinct taking over more and more this season along with the explosiveness coming back little by little.
- stammerman

Of course. It's no fault of his own. The question is whether or not he can get back there.

Of course. It's no fault of his own. The question is whether or not he can get back there.
- Michael_Stuart

I think he is getting there and personally knowing him and have talked with him on occasions he is the most determined kid I have met, always working to get better and determined to achieve his goals. If anyone can its him and I think he will.

I think he is getting there and personally knowing him and have talked with him on occasions he is the most determined kid I have met, always working to get better and determined to achieve his goals. If anyone can its him and I think he will.
- stammerman

The quotes he's given seem to indicate that there's some serious doubt.

Came in to wish you guys luck tonight, then I saw this:

I'll get it started. Should be three easy wins in the next 4 days.
- tpd11

Gotta ask why you think that. Beside's the fact that we aren't anything close to the same team we used to be, and that we played last night, in the last 6 games, the Isles are 4-0-2, gaining at least a point in all those games, meaning the score couldn't have been more than 1 goal for Tampa. Take just the games in Tampa, and we are 4-2-1 against you guys. As for Stamkos going for 5 points, he's at PPG against us (10-10-20 in 20gp). It's a bit unlikely (not impossible, just unlikely).

Not trying to start anything, I'm honestly curious as to why we are going to be 2/3 of an easy win.

Came in to wish you guys luck tonight, then I saw this:



Gotta ask why you think that. Beside's the fact that we aren't anything close to the same team we used to be, and that we played last night, in the last 6 games, the Isles are 4-0-2, gaining at least a point in all those games, meaning the score couldn't have been more than 1 goal for Tampa. Take just the games in Tampa, and we are 4-2-1 against you guys. As for Stamkos going for 5 points, he's at PPG against us (10-10-20 in 20gp). It's a bit unlikely (not impossible, just unlikely).

Not trying to start anything, I'm honestly curious as to why we are going to be 2/3 of an easy win.
- isles21

Its called positive thinking by tpd11...

The quotes he's given seem to indicate that there's some serious doubt.
- Michael_Stuart

Anyone who has tried to come back from something devastating always has some doubt, but Stamkos is the type who will push through it and achieve whatever goal he sets on his rehab. Hopefully one day he wakes up and it feels like it did pre-injury.

Anyone who has tried to come back from something devastating always has some doubt, but Stamkos is the type who will push through it and achieve whatever goal he sets on his rehab. Hopefully one day he wakes up and it feels like it did pre-injury.
- stammerman

I doubt it ever will feel the same but I would expect a full 2 years for all the strength and explosiveness to come back.

Came in to wish you guys luck tonight, then I saw this:



Gotta ask why you think that. Beside's the fact that we aren't anything close to the same team we used to be, and that we played last night, in the last 6 games, the Isles are 4-0-2, gaining at least a point in all those games, meaning the score couldn't have been more than 1 goal for Tampa. Take just the games in Tampa, and we are 4-2-1 against you guys. As for Stamkos going for 5 points, he's at PPG against us (10-10-20 in 20gp). It's a bit unlikely (not impossible, just unlikely).

Not trying to start anything, I'm honestly curious as to why we are going to be 2/3 of an easy win.
- isles21

we are due to break one open and you played at tough game last night. Plus some positive energy for a win. You guys always play us tough but I think you'll see our 4 lines are going to be tough to match up against. That's all none ofXXnyixX bs that Tampa sucks geez he even trolls your own blog. What a a hole

I'll get it started. Should be three easy wins in the next 4 days.
- tpd11

Good luck tonight.

I doubt it ever will feel the same but I would expect a full 2 years for all the strength and explosiveness to come back.
- Feds91Stammer

Stamkos is a world class athlete but I wouldn't be surprised if it takes him close to a year before he is totally comfortable.

I also think Stamkos game is affected by not having Martin St Louis on his wing this year too.

Cmon Bish those were two easy ones you're maling these guys look good

Dumb turnovers and lazy passes. Need to clean that up

Good bounce back after two sub par performances, still a lot to clean up but if they keep playing like that until Heddy returns they should be ok. Just clean up some of the dumb turnovers and unnecessary passes.

What will Cooper do when Connolly is healthy. You have Connolly, Drouin, Paquette, and Vlad for only two spots unless you throw Morrow in for days off. Paquette and Vlad are non-waivers but playing great. Tough decisions ahead for Mr. Cooper. And how long before he goes Stamkos-Filppula-Johnson-Boyle down the middle. I like that he is giving these young guys meaningful situation minutes now to prepare them for later but eventually the lines are going to have to go to those four guys down the middle.

On to the party deck, beautiful weather tonight. Go Bolts!!!

So they had tired legs with their backup in, so will we Tuesday but it will be Nabby against his old team and after what should be an emotional game Monday. We have the Rags 3 out of the next 7 in a two week period. Time to start getting the Bronx cheer ready for but but but you didn't pick me for your team waaaaa waaaa

So they had tired legs with their backup in, so will we Tuesday but it will be Nabby against his old team and after what should be an emotional game Monday. We have the Rags 3 out of the next 7 in a two week period. Time to start getting the Bronx cheer ready for but but but you didn't pick me for your team waaaaa waaaa
- tpd11

I like the idea of starting the back-up in the first half of back to backs. I think it makes more sense, putting a back up goaltender behind a rested team, and using your starting goalie behind your more tired team on the road, i think it gives us a better chance to win

not knocking nabokov, just how I feel
bishop has stolen games in the past, i don't want him to have to do that but on the 2nd half of a back to back he might need to every once and a while and he can

I like the idea of starting the back-up in the first half of back to backs. I think it makes more sense, putting a back up goaltender behind a rested team, and using your starting goalie behind your more tired team on the road, i think it gives us a better chance to win

not knocking nabokov, just how I feel
bishop has stolen games in the past, i don't want him to have to do that but on the 2nd half of a back to back he might need to every once and a while and he can
- RileyB77

I do too but not this time it's too important emotionally to have the starters in Monday.

I like the idea of starting the back-up in the first half of back to backs. I think it makes more sense, putting a back up goaltender behind a rested team, and using your starting goalie behind your more tired team on the road, i think it gives us a better chance to win

not knocking nabokov, just how I feel
bishop has stolen games in the past, i don't want him to have to do that but on the 2nd half of a back to back he might need to every once and a while and he can
- RileyB77

Bish vs Henrik and Nabby against his old team in the piss hole

Bish vs Henrik and Nabby against his old team in the piss hole
- tpd11

Piss hole? From someone who calls tampa home that means a lot. Did an islander fan bang your girlfriend? Youre a very angry person.

Piss hole? From someone who calls tampa home that means a lot. Did an islander fan bang your girlfriend? Youre a very angry person.
- Cptmjl

Dude he wasn't bashing New York he was bashing Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum and you have to be honest, the place is probably the worst in the NHL. I know the Islanders will be playing in Brooklyn next year but I read Coliseum is getting an upgrade so would the Islanders go back to it when renovated?

And nothing wrong with Tampa, great place to live everything you could possibly want to do is 2 hours away or less, weather, beaches, nightlife, etc. I love how New Yorkers always view Tampa as negative but the biggest implant of people down here is from New York.