Sam Hitchcock: Three Quick Goals Spell Doom for Bolts

good breakdown

I turned it off after the Avs scored their 4th goal. I watch hockey to be entertained, not aggravated.

This team has too much talent to be currently sitting in 5th place in the division.

The Avs goalie showed up to play. Vasi did not.

Even if Vasi had stopped most of those goals, the Bolts need to mix things up. The league has caught on to the Lightning's game. The blame for this falls squarely on Cooper.

The Bolts made a push after the 4-1 goal but came up short. After that they were done and really didnt carry the play the way they had before the Avs light Vasi up. I wouldnt be too concerned, but I would send Vasi to a Rub-N-Tug while McBackup starts the next game.

I hope we get absolutely destroyed by Pitts this week and finally put the nail in Cooper's coffin.

I hope we get absolutely destroyed by Pitts this week and finally put the nail in Cooper's coffin.
- OzBolts

Who should we hire to replace him? Not many good choices out there.

Listened to Ben Bishop on Chiclets last week. He was asked about Cooper and said during his five years Cooper never got visibly angry with the team. This may be his problem, that he is unable to light a fire under the team when needed to. I dont know. I think its a bit early to part ways with him since he was extended just 7 months ago.

"It is worth examining these three Colorado strikes to identify where things went astray and what it reveals about the Lightning’s vulnerabilities."

Should the Bolts even have ANY vulnerabilities at this point? I mean... how long has this 'dynasty' been under construction? And to what end? Ijdk...

I hope we get absolutely destroyed by Pitts this week and finally put the nail in Cooper's coffin.
- OzBolts

Wow... ouch... I'm in on the Pitts part... Cooper's demise is long overdue IMHO.

"It is worth examining these three Colorado strikes to identify where things went astray and what it reveals about the Lightning’s vulnerabilities."

Should the Bolts even have ANY vulnerabilities at this point? I mean... how long has this 'dynasty' been under construction? And to what end? Ijdk...
- Cousinskrid

This team is all talent and no results. It's absolutely stacked with firepower and speed. But, it lacks that ability that Cup-winning teams have - that ability to throw a switch in the playoffs and hit a higher gear. There's little grit and no physicality outside of a couple of odd fights and a few ill-conceived checks. And, last but certainly not least, there is a coaching problem. Cooper is not a bad coach, he's just a transparent coach. Everybody has his schemes figured out. And he lacks that Torts-like ability to light a fire under his team or the Keenan "Fear of God" - sometimes a guy needs something more than a Michael Keeton-esque coolness to motivate a team that is locked in a Chinese fire drill.

The Bolts are built to compete for at least another few years before the core ages out. But Stamkos and Hedman are not getting any younger. The clock is ticking and Cooper should be on the hot seat to deliver.

Wow... ouch... I'm in on the Pitts part... Cooper's demise is long overdue IMHO.
- Cousinskrid

I wouldn't go as far as he did. I don't want to see the Bolts embarassed. I'd like to see them win this game. The Pens are banged up right now and it's too good of an opportunity to pass up. This is a game the Bolts should win unless the Pen's goalie steals the game or Sid gets red hot and carries the team on his back - both of which are possible.

I'd like to see Coop keep the D-pairings he used in the last game.

Tell Cernak to stay out of the box and not drop the gloves unless someone takes liberties with Stammer, Kuch, Hedman, or Vasi.

Mix up the O-zone entry 5v5 plays.

Mix up the PP entry plays.

Turn up the physicality a notch. Guys like Hedman who have the size need to use it more. There are players on this team who could be more physical.

Stop relying on Hail Mary passes.

Don't take the Pens lightly and take advantage of them being banged up and tired. Hopefully Florida takes them to the shoot-out in a long and physical game.

I wouldn't go as far as he did. I don't want to see the Bolts embarassed. I'd like to see them win this game. The Pens are banged up right now and it's too good of an opportunity to pass up. This is a game the Bolts should win unless the Pen's goalie steals the game or Sid gets red hot and carries the team on his back - both of which are possible.

I'd like to see Coop keep the D-pairings he used in the last game.

Tell Cernak to stay out of the box and not drop the gloves unless someone takes liberties with Stammer, Kuch, Hedman, or Vasi.

Mix up the O-zone entry 5v5 plays.

Mix up the PP entry plays.

Turn up the physicality a notch. Guys like Hedman who have the size need to use it more. There are players on this team who could be more physical.

Stop relying on Hail Mary passes.

Don't take the Pens lightly and take advantage of them being banged up and tired. Hopefully Florida takes them to the shoot-out in a long and physical game.
- GalacticStone

Yeah, the Pens are still a bit banged up, but they are on the mend. And I don't know about them being tired... plenty of energy in last night's game against the Cats, even in the loss.