Tampa Bay Lightning Week In Review

Game 37:  Lightning 3 – Bruins 4 “Tough Loss”

Former Bolt Mark Recchi beat his old ‘mates Tuesday night with a wrister that beat Dan Ellis with just 20 seconds left in the game. In what was a playoff atmosphere, the Bruins beat the Bolts 4-3 in front of over 20,000 fans at the St. Pete Times Forum.

Recchi’s goal came on the power play after Steven Stamkos was whistled off for boarding Boston’s Gregory Campbell. It was one of four penalties drawn by Boston’s “energy line”. Reccchi’s shot was one that goalie Dan Ellis should have stopped. It was a slow wrist shot that he saw clearly and just whiffed on.

It appeared that Boston’s fourth line winger, Brad Marchand, would be the hero. He drew two penalties to offset Lightning power plays and beat defenseman Victor Hedman and scored what looked like the game-winning goal early in the third period, giving the Bruins a 3-2 lead.

But the heart and soul of the Lightning, Martin St. Louis tied the game at the 10:50 mark. Superstar Steven Stamkos netted his 29^th of the year and Vinny Lecavalier scored his seventh goal of the season on a highlight reel, wrap-around effort that beat Boston netminder Tim Thomas. Vinny is heating up as he scored for the third consecutive game.

It was a tough pill to swallow for the Lightning who played a spirited game and put in a solid effort, battling back from three, one goal deficits. Following the game, coach Guy Boucher voiced his displeasure with the officiating, specifically the Stamkos boarding call. While the call may have been the wrong one, good teams find ways to overcome those things and the Lightning must rebound Thursday night versus the Canadiens. They are in the midst of a make or break group of games including hosting Montreal and the Rangers and traveling to Washington and Pittsburgh.

The loss, combined with the Washington’ win over the Canadiens, moved the Lightning (21-11-5) back into second place in the Southeast Division, two points behind the Capitals.

Game 38:  Lightning 4 – Canadiens 1 “Cedrick Entertains”

Superstar Steven Stamkos had four points, rookie goalie Cedrick Desjardins won his first NHL game and the Lightning beat the Canadiens rather easily, 4-1 last night.

From the Associated Press:  Stamkos made it 3-1 at 1:46 of the third when he beat goalie Carey Price with a backhander after a spin move in the slot during a penalty shot. The center extended Tampa Bay’s advantage to 4-1 on a wraparound goal, his 31st of the season, with 15:20 left.

Kubina stopped a personal 34-game goal drought and gave the Lightning a 2-1 lead with 6:29 left in the second.

Game 39:  Lightning 2 – Rangers 1 OT “Desjardins Impresses”

Overtime has been kind to the Lightning and the trend continued last night. Nate Thompson took a perfect pass from Dana Tyrell and put it past the Rangers Henrik Lundqvist for a 2-1 victory, just 19 seconds into overtime. The Bolts have won four of their last five games that have gone into overtime or a shootout.

Goalie Cedrick Desjardins was stellar in net for the second consecutive game, stopping 34 of 35 shots.

Dana Tyrell scored the first goal for the Lightning who have won eight of their last ten and three straight versus the New York Rangers.

Superstar Steven Stamkos was held off the score sheet as his four game goal streak ended in his 200^th career game. Stammer has 105 goals and 197 points in those 200 games.

Immediately following the game it was learned that Tampa Bay had traded prospect defenseman Ty Wishart to the Islanders for veteran goalie Dwayne Roloson. Goalie Cedrick Desjardins has been returned to Norfolk.

Injury Update

The Lightning could get winger Steve Downie back in the lineup on Tuesday. Downie has been sidelined with a high ankle sprain and feels better.

Goalie Mike Smith skated without equipment for a short time Saturday morning. He is recovering from a knee sprain suffered December 20. Smith is still at least a week away from returning but will travel with the team to Washington.

Defenseman Randy Jones was scratched Saturday after aggravating an upper-body injury late in Thursday’s game against the Canadiens.

Where They Stand

Through 39 games, the Lightning (23-11-5) went 2-1 for the week and are in first place in the Southeast division, tied in points (51) with the Washington Capitals. They are second in the Eastern Conference, two points behind the Pittsburgh Penguins.

The Bolts have scored 121 goals (4^th in the Eastern Conference) while giving up 122 (14^th in the Eastern Conference).

Tampa Bay is a stellar 12-3-2 at home, third in the Eastern Conference.

The Lightning are 6-1-1 in their last ten games and have won two straight.

The team’s power play is clicking at 23.1%, fourth in the NHL and the penalty kill is seventh in the league (84.9%).

We’ll see what the Bolts are made of this week as they play at Washington and Pittsburgh on consecutive nights and then continue on to Ottawa and New Jersey. After that, Tampa Bay will enjoy home cooking for 15 of their next 18 games, thanks to the whacky NHL schedule makers.

Three Stars of the Week

Steven Stamkos – Three goals and three assists.

Cedrick Desjardins – Two wins, 1.00 GAA and .968 save %.

Martin St. Louis – Two goals and an assist.

The Upcoming Week

Tuesday at the Capitals, Wednesday at the Penguins, Saturday at the Senators and Sunday at the Devils.