The Race is On!!

With just a 1.2% chance of making the playoffs, the Lightning appear to be hitting the golf course early again this year.  One Lightning player who has the potential to slightly ease the pain of missing the playoffs is Steven Stamkos.  The NHL sophomore currently sits in a three-way tie for the Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy, awarded to the player with the most goals at the end of the regular season.  Stamkos, along with Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin, each have 45 goals and each have 8 games left to play.  Though the Lightning’s current NHL standing may not give fans much incentive to watch the last several games, Stamkos’ race for the Rocket should (which includes a head-to-head game with Crosby and the Penguins on March 31)!  Keep ‘em coming, Stammer!!

Interesting Facts:

-Ovechkin is the favourite to win the “Rocket” Richard, as he has claimed the prize the last two years and has amassed his 45 goals in 10 less games than Stamkos (9 less than Crosby).

-Stamkos would really benefit down the stretch from the Lightning gaining some power-play opportunities seeing as he leads the league with a whopping 20 power-play goals!

-Since the trophy was first awarded at the end of the 1998-1999 season, no division has had more players win the “Rocket” Richard than the Southeast (they’ve won it 6 out of 10 times!).

Some Quick Lightning Notes:

-Tampa Bay was stricken with a series of injuries last game against the Bruins.  Steve Downie, who suffered a knee injury, could possibly be playing in tonight’s game versus the Sabres.  However, David Hale (lower body) and Kurtis Foster (head) are very unlikely to play tonight.

-With Hale and Foster out, defenseman Mattias Ohlund may be returning from injury for tonight’s game as he skated with the team at practice.