Early Estimations: Bolts Under The Magnifying Glass

It’s not time to panic or lose hope, but they’ve given us no real reason to think playoffs. The Tampa Bay Lightning is 1-1-2 in the first four games of the 2009-10 season. Here are my impressions of the Bolts’ early season performance.

Goalie Mike Smith is not right. He has been solid…even amazing at times, but overall he has been bad, especially in shootouts. In three games his GAA is 3.16 and his save percentage is a dismal .889. In his career, Smith has been involved in 14 shootouts. He has faced 41 shots and allowed 19 goals, for an alarmingly low .537 save percentage. Only three of the 51 NHL goalies who have faced a minimum ten shootouts have a worse career save percentage than the Lightning netminder.

The big Swede, Victor Hedman is the real deal. He has three assists, is averaging almost 26 minutes on ice per game, and has played in every possible situation. He is starting to play more physical and has the poise of a ten-year veteran. He has skated the most shifts of any player on the team and is a +2. The future is bright!

The fourth line has played outstanding hockey. Steve Downie, Todd Fedoruk and Zenon Konopka have given the Bolts a physical presence and the line has contributed three points in four games played. Skating against New Jersey on Thursday night, they were the Lightning’s dominant line.

Does the Lightning have a “first line?” Does Vincent Lecavalier still play with Tampa Bay, or was he traded? Where is winger Alex Tanguay? The “first line” hasn’t scored a goal and is a combined –4 in four games. Vinny is leading the team in shots on goal, but has not been able to get one past an opposing goaltender yet. At times he looks lost on the ice and has stumbled around. There are even rumblings that Vinny should be stripped of the captaincy in favor of Martin St. Louis, and I may agree with that. Newcomer Alex Tanguay has one assist and just three shots on goal in the first four games.

The fans haven’t bought into the hype…yet. Opening night’s announced attendance was 17,454 and Saturday night’s number was 14,212 of a possible 19,500, 26th in the league. In other words, the Lightning has filled about 81% of their available seats, last in the NHL.

Coach Rick Tocchet has made some questionable decisions. See Vinny and Marty being absent from the shootout versus New Jersey on Thursday night.

Eighteen tear old James Wright looks overwhelmed out there. He has been a non-factor for the Bolts. Three shots on goal and two penalty minutes are not enough to keep him in the NHL.

The Marty-Stammer-Bugsy line has been terrific. Combined, this group has eight of the Bolts’ twelve goals and seven assists for 15 of the teams 35 total points.

The Bolts can’t finish! Two straight shootout losses and one win in their last 13 games, dating back to last year.

“Tough guy” Zenon Konopka likes to fight but needs some sparring lessons. If he were a bleeder, he’d be out for the year by now.

Okay Lightning puckheads…what are your first impressions?