Ty Anderson: Lightning can't overcome opportunistic Canucks

Defense played like crap. Not enough coverage in the D zone. They got away from what they did the previous two games

We suck right now

^^ Yes the Bolts suck right now.

The D-zone has been atrocious, they have went down 2-0 thirteen times this season that is crazy.

I hope they turn it around and get the ship righted but I am not sure they can this season, the problems they are having do not seem to be 1 off problems and more a deep rooted problem they might not be able to fix. I think they will have to acquire a Dman sooner then later.

For me the one thing I would like to see Cooper do is keep the forward lines consistent, I don't think we have had consistent lines since Stamkos went down. Let the lines play and gel together to hopefully control the puck some more and take some pressure of the D and in turn the goalies.

can't wait to see how much black and gold is at Amalie tomorrow

Terrible loss to a terrible team.

If we play like last night against Pittsburgh it is going to be a long game.

Hopefully, MAF will be in goal to help us light it up! He got pulled after 4 goals on 16 shots last weekend.

^^ Yes the Bolts suck right now.

The D-zone has been atrocious, they have went down 2-0 thirteen times this season that is crazy.

I hope they turn it around and get the ship righted but I am not sure they can this season, the problems they are having do not seem to be 1 off problems and more a deep rooted problem they might not be able to fix. I think they will have to acquire a Dman sooner then later.

For me the one thing I would like to see Cooper do is keep the forward lines consistent, I don't think we have had consistent lines since Stamkos went down. Let the lines play and gel together to hopefully control the puck some more and take some pressure of the D and in turn the goalies.
- stammerman

It seems that most struggling teams need another defenceman so price is pretty high for someone that can help. Likely have to wait until New Year / trade deadline as other teams recognize that they are sellers.

Terrible loss to a terrible team.

If we play like last night against Pittsburgh it is going to be a long game.

Hopefully, MAF will be in goal to help us light it up! He got pulled after 4 goals on 16 shots last weekend.
- Leafsandbolts

Crazy thing is it wouldn't shock me to watch them play like world beaters tomorrow against Pittsburgh then get another 3 day break and then stink it up on the Western Canada trip.

can't wait to see how much black and gold is at Amalie tomorrow
- j.boyd919

Not as many as you think, its been a while since I have seen a sworm of opposing teams fans and I am at every game. The season ticket fan base is too big +15K to allow for opposing teams to take over. Though with the way the Bolts are playing it wouldn't shock me to see those season ticket members selling their seats for 5-6x face value to some Pens fans.

Not as many as you think, its been a while since I have seen a sworm of opposing teams fans and I am at every game. The season ticket fan base is too big +15K to allow for opposing teams to take over. Though with the way the Bolts are playing it wouldn't shock me to see those season ticket members selling their seats for 5-6x face value to some Pens fans.
- stammerman

So since opening night?

So since opening night?
- Feds91Stammer

If I remember correctly by no means was it run over by Wings fans. I would say 3 maybe 4K out of 20K. But I don't actively try to figure out how many opposing fans are there. I remember the days when it was like another home game for some of the northern teams and those days have passed.

If I remember correctly by no means was it run over by Wings fans. I would say 3 maybe 4K out of 20K. But I don't actively try to figure out how many opposing fans are there. I remember the days when it was like another home game for some of the northern teams and those days have passed.
- stammerman

Honestly, that wasn't even that long ago, just a few years ago when I was workin, I was would astonished atthe amount of Pens/Habs/Hawks/Wings fans. It definitely has diminished a lot thought with the STM base going up

Honestly, that wasn't even that long ago, just a few years ago when I was workin, I was would astonished atthe amount of Pens/Habs/Hawks/Wings fans. It definitely has diminished a lot thought with the STM base going up
- j.boyd919

DET games are always at least 50/50

DET games are always at least 50/50
- Feds91Stammer

Disagree with you on that, maybe certain areas but the arena as a whole is pro Bolts fans and has been for a few years now - maybe 70-30 Bolts-Wings crowd, either way the Wings fans do show up lots of them down here. Its all a process the Bolts brand is growing, they are targeting the young kids and teens, its only going to get more pro Bolts as time goes on. The Bolts are doing it right and growing the base unlike the Bucs and Rays who continue to poop down on every fan they have and potential new fans they could get.

Honestly, that wasn't even that long ago, just a few years ago when I was workin, I was would astonished atthe amount of Pens/Habs/Hawks/Wings fans. It definitely has diminished a lot thought with the STM base going up
- j.boyd919

Yeah since about the Cooper era things have gotten better for all the games, during seasons the Bolts were winning the opposing team crowds were diminished but during the lean years it could get real bad. But the Bolts do have a 15K plus season ticket base. That only leaves 4k on the open market. I would say the worst I have seen lately would 70% Bolts to 30% Opponent and those are the Wings/Hawks/Pens/Boston. Toronto and the Habs have really diminished. I actually won't be at the game tomorrow due to family obligation and I sold my tickets for 6.5X, this one game pays a good portion of either my playoff tickets or next season so I am not complaining...

Gudbranson's goal didn't bounce in off Bishop's skate. Bishop stuck his glove out and poked the puck in. Makes him look even more stupid, so way to cushion the blow? :p

Terrible loss to a terrible team.
- Leafsandbolts

Canucks have a winning record the past 10 games. Perhaps research before you call out another team that absolutely crushed your team 5 - 1? Smart guy.

Yeah since about the Cooper era things have gotten better for all the games, during seasons the Bolts were winning the opposing team crowds were diminished but during the lean years it could get real bad. But the Bolts do have a 15K plus season ticket base. That only leaves 4k on the open market. I would say the worst I have seen lately would 70% Bolts to 30% Opponent and those are the Wings/Hawks/Pens/Boston. Toronto and the Habs have really diminished. I actually won't be at the game tomorrow due to family obligation and I sold my tickets for 6.5X, this one game pays a good portion of either my playoff tickets or next season so I am not complaining...
- stammerman

I was pissed I had to pay 85 bucks for 300 level seats. Couldn't even get tickets from my friends that work for the Lightning. (frank) that place.

I was pissed I had to pay 85 bucks for 300 level seats. Couldn't even get tickets from my friends that work for the Lightning. (frank) that place.
- j.boyd919

I had a friend come in from Philly, I wanted to upgrade my seats which are right in front of the press box in 315. I asked about anything in the Club, Chase or Lounge for the game 2 weeks ago as I would pay the money to show him a good time. I was told by my sales rep and her boss that every game is basically sold out and they only hold tickets for student rush, fixed amount for flex ticket holders and standing room only. Thats probably why you couldn't get anything they are spoken for, for me I am happy means the Bolts are making money and will continue to keep a good product but man does it suck to be told by the team you have to go to the ticket after market if you want to upgrade and get gouged by prices. He enjoyed the game from my seats, wasn't paying $250 for club or $475 for chase which is what they were going for.

Yeah since about the Cooper era things have gotten better for all the games, during seasons the Bolts were winning the opposing team crowds were diminished but during the lean years it could get real bad. But the Bolts do have a 15K plus season ticket base. That only leaves 4k on the open market. I would say the worst I have seen lately would 70% Bolts to 30% Opponent and those are the Wings/Hawks/Pens/Boston. Toronto and the Habs have really diminished. I actually won't be at the game tomorrow due to family obligation and I sold my tickets for 6.5X, this one game pays a good portion of either my playoff tickets or next season so I am not complaining...
- stammerman

The scheduling of Leaf games outside the usual school break periods at Christmas and March has reduced the number of Leaf jerseys in Amalie the past few years. Also with Lightning blue and white jerseys, who would know. The Habs and Leafs will be in town this Christmas so you can post a jersey report.

I am impressed how strong the Lightning fan base is and I believe Tampa is in the top ten of NHL fans with jerseys. Vinik definitely helped promote jerseys with his season ticket holder jerseys. I know teams with red jerseys (Chicago / Montreal) stand out more due to the color but Tampa fans rock their building.

I had a friend come in from Philly, I wanted to upgrade my seats which are right in front of the press box in 315. I asked about anything in the Club, Chase or Lounge for the game 2 weeks ago as I would pay the money to show him a good time. I was told by my sales rep and her boss that every game is basically sold out and they only hold tickets for student rush, fixed amount for flex ticket holders and standing room only. Thats probably why you couldn't get anything they are spoken for, for me I am happy means the Bolts are making money and will continue to keep a good product but man does it suck to be told by the team you have to go to the ticket after market if you want to upgrade and get gouged by prices. He enjoyed the game from my seats, wasn't paying $250 for club or $475 for chase which is what they were going for.
- stammerman

Ticket prices have definitely gone up in the last decade. Stubhub, eBay, craigslist often still have fair prices for games. I wouldn't pay those prices for the Flyers outside of the playoffs just on principle.

(frank)in A boys. What a game. Whaaaat a game.

(frank)in A boys. What a game. Whaaaat a game.
- j.boyd919

I'm surprised it was as difficult as it was for the Pens given the way the Lightning have been playing lately. Granted I only watched the highlights but I am sure Nesterov sucked per usual and it looks like the PK was horrible for the Bolts and that made the difference for the Pens. I think the Bolts problems are deep rooted and not an easy fix so I'm not sure how this will play out but if they don't turn it around fast and figure out before the new year I don't see any playoffs this year.

At what point do you think Cooper will lose the locker room if they continue to struggle? The reason I ask is because Cooper is the type of guy who will continue to try and stick the square peg thru the round hole instead of changing his philosophy even though it seems teams have figured out how to play against his system. The d-zone play is so horrendous and the team seems to struggle with any adversity that happens in the game.

At what point do you think Cooper will lose the locker room if they continue to struggle? The reason I ask is because Cooper is the type of guy who will continue to try and stick the square peg thru the round hole instead of changing his philosophy even though it seems teams have figured out how to play against his system. The d-zone play is so horrendous and the team seems to struggle with any adversity that happens in the game.
- stammerman

Cooper is a very overrated coach.