John Gove: Rapid Reactions: Lightning Record Comeback Victory Against Panthers

Nice write-up John.

A couple of thoughts :

That was a gutsy win last night. It's good to see the Bolts on a roll. If nothing else, they are making things interesting in regards to the playoffs race.

Even though it's probably too late to do any good this season, it will be awesome to see Stamkos back on the ice. Then opposing teams will have to pick their poison - the Stamkos line or the Triplets line.

A big part of the Bolts woes this year stemmed from the fact that Stamkos was no longer drawing the opposition's best matchups to free up our Triplets line.

Vasy is really stepping up. I hope this is the new normal for the future. Now he just needs to work on his puck handling - Bishop will be missed in that regard.

Kucherov is looking deadlier with each game played. This guy is in the zone. If the Lightning squeak into the playoffs, the Russian Rifle is going to wreak havoc.

Now, imagine if you will, this line : Drouin, Stamkos, Kucherov. Wow.

Great comeback; great article. Interesting stat that Kucherov's next goal will be 100.

Amazing outcome considering all the changes and injuries at center.

Edit.

Well now that the dust has settled from TDL who would have thought that Bishop, Boyle and Filppula were holding this team back?

Go Lightning

Vasy has been great. Its clear he can be a long term No. 1 for many years as long as he consistently matures like he has. Of course there will be bad games but I think there will be many more good games.

As I watched the Bolts play last night without all there Centers and gut out the win I think its apparent we need go keep Johnson, I always thought he was the one to go but im not sure any more. I think Yzerman would be wise to sign all of Palat, Johnson and Drouin and move Killorn for a for a 5-6 dman. If Dotchin can stay with Hedman next year, Stralman stays with Garrison and move the aquired Dman with Coburn amd have Koekkoek or Sustr as well they wouldnt be terrible and its only for 1 year as the following year with Garrison up they can replace him for a 3-4 d-man but keep the offensive core this year. If Yzerman packaged Killorn with either Sustr or Koekkoek I think they would get a pretty could d-man coming back the other way and we can replace both of these players.

I hope they can keep the push going thru this brutal back to back followed by Toronto.

Imagine the PP when Stamkos is back - Kuch on the right and Stammer on the left with Heddy on point. Could be an x-factor if we can squize into the playoffs.

Imagine the PP when Stamkos is back - Kuch on the right and Stammer on the left with Heddy on point.

Could be an x-factor when we squeeze into the playoffs.
- Cloud

Fixed

who in the hell is playing center for you guys these days?

I absolutely loved Gourde's goal reaction. Especially the tv feed had a nice close up as he fist pumped and went to celebrate on the boards. The look on his face was absolutely priceless as his dream of scoring an NHL goal was realized in front of 19k fans.

Vasy has been great. Its clear he can be a long term No. 1 for many years as long as he consistently matures like he has. Of course there will be bad games but I think there will be many more good games.

As I watched the Bolts play last night without all there Centers and gut out the win I think its apparent we need go keep Johnson, I always thought he was the one to go but im not sure any more. I think Yzerman would be wise to sign all of Palat, Johnson and Drouin and move Killorn for a for a 5-6 dman. If Dotchin can stay with Hedman next year, Stralman stays with Garrison and move the aquired Dman with Coburn amd have Koekkoek or Sustr as well they wouldnt be terrible and its only for 1 year as the following year with Garrison up they can replace him for a 3-4 d-man but keep the offensive core this year. If Yzerman packaged Killorn with either Sustr or Koekkoek I think they would get a pretty could d-man coming back the other way and we can replace both of these players.

I hope they can keep the push going thru this brutal back to back followed by Toronto.
- stammerman

Killorn just re-upped for 7 years...he's not getting traded.

who in the hell is playing center for you guys these days?
- Tumbleweed

Well we have currently deployed the "one rookie center" lineup-stratetgy for the moment. We are also evaluating some new, knight-inspired, full mount steelgear to prevent future knee injurys. Some say its Robidas and Lupul who are behind this game-changeing gear and that this will be the number one subject on the next CBA negotiations.

More to come.

Imagine the PP when Stamkos is back - Kuch on the right and Stammer on the left with Heddy on point. Could be an x-factor if we can squize into the playoffs.
- Cloud

It'd be like 2011 when the Bolts had Vinny on the right and Stamkos on the left. That was a deadly powerplay!