Talk about a bad weekend for sports in the Tampa Bay area…

First off you had the Lightning pounded by the New Jersey Devils in a humbling… no, strike that… humiliating loss on Friday. At least you saw no John Grahame bashing in the retrospect post on Boltsmag…

Saturday – the USF Bulls played a joke of a game in Hartford, Connecticut and it reminded me why I don’t watch College Football… It wasn’t mistakes that make me uncomfortable with the game, but the ultra slowness of everything. I find the 40 second clock in teh NFL painful enough – but the college game seems even worse… And the all-too-often commercial breaks did there best to lose my interested in the game…

Thankfully I was suffering post-surgical complications Saturday and they kept me tuned in (if my physical suffering needed a mental accompliss).

So the Bulls did what they could and managed to take the title of most-undisciplined-football-team in Tampa Bay away from the Buccaneers…

Not that the Bucs didn’t have there own problems this weekend. I’ll let Ski tell the tale of that one… And though things took a grim turn, there is still hope.

Of course, the Rays have to be included in this somewhere and Sports Business Journal ranking the franchise the worst in baseball — for (former) owner Vince Naimoli, for the Uniforms, for the Trop and such — definately gets them on this bad-weekend list.

And though the Bolts came back from the dead on Sunday Night to end the weekend on a positive note, it was influenced by John Tortorella blasted the players during the first intermission for lackadistical play.

But it’s mid-week now… Yet the memory of this weekend’s futility still echoes in my memory…

Sorry to go silent again — Alergic reaction on my right hand has given me trouble.. And the ointment I have had to apply is not typing/keyboard friendly…

But I will say that I am glad the Lightning ended a very demoralizing weekend in Tampa Bay sports with a win…

Well, the streaking Lightning decided to put an exclimation point on their return to Tampa…

Not exactly a positive one at that…

Six goals allowed in the first 30 minutes of action –helped by inept defensive play — is all I could stand to watch tonight… I also couldn’t stand watching the continuation of hands-off officiating that has marked it’s return in the NHL.

The one postive I can find from this game is Brad Richards point streak continues… Maybe something else good will come from this game – like the acquisition of a sound goaltender that puts both John Grahame and Sean Burke to shame…? One can hope, right?

There’s a neat little tool I found on Sarah in Tampa’s web site that I’d like to direct Boltsmag readers to… Cuz I signed up to try it out and I’m curious who and where my readers are. It’s a nifty little thing utilizing Google Maps and such… Check it out, won’t you?

This year, an addendum to Rule 56, known as the Sutter Rule, was implemented taking aim at late game instigator penalties. It reads, in it’s entirety:

(NEW for 2005-06) A player who is deemed to be the instigator of an altercation in the final five (5) minutes of regulation time or at any time in overtime, shall be assessed an instigator minor penalty, a major for fighting, a ten minute misconduct and an automatic one-game suspension. The length of suspension will double for each subsequent offense. In addition, the player’s coach shall be fined $10,000 — a fine that will double for each subsequent incident.

(NEW for 2005-06) (NOTE 1) No team appeals will be permitted either verbally or in writing regarding the assessment of this automatic suspension.

The NHL has made it clear that this penalty cannot be appealed, and made a sizeable issue out of this rule before the season began in it’s misguided attempt at eliminating fighting from the game.

Two nights ago, this rule was to be put to the test for the first time, as Coyotes forward Shane Doan took an instigator at the end of a game filled with dirty hits. The rule makes it clear: Doan was to be suspended for one game, and the coach to be fined $10,000.

Except the coach in question is Wayne Gretzky.

Suddenly Colin Campbell decided that this rule is not as simple as it seems, and though it is not mentioned anywhere in the rule book, he now has discretion on whether to hand out the penalties. Campbell’s excuse was that Doan isnt a goon, therefore the rule should not apply to him.

Please.

You think Campbell wouldnt have thought twice about the suspension and fine if it was Jarome Iginla and Darryl Sutter in question?

How about Mark Bell and Trent Yawney?

The NHL found itself caught in the embarrassing position of having to fine it’s most notable personality for a rule it felt was extremely important four months ago, and somehow found an even more embarrassing excuse to avoid living up to it’s own rules.

But then, there always was one rulebook for Gretzky, and one for everyone else.

I’m thankful for a lot of things – things that I and probably a lot of other people take for granted. Everyone in the United States usually takes this day to give thanks for what life, fate, the Almighty and other respective deities have provided them over the course of the last year. Of course, every blogger tends to do this type of post at one point or another but I thought I’d throw in my own personal list of things I am thankful for…

I’m thankful for hockey in Tampa Bay. Nay sayers will continue to say it won’t last or it won’t work out in the end…. They were also saying we were the epitome of what was wrong with Hockey during our losing days of the late 1990’s (they were saying the same thing about Ottawa, though, during their losing days at the begining of the franchises current tenure in Ottawa). I think this region has proven it will support hockey, the question is when will hockey support us?

I’m thankful for the end of the lockout.

I’m thankful Tim Taylor stopped talking lockout politics and started scoring goals again.

I’m thankful Vinny Lecavalier and Martin St. Louis are still members fo the Lightning…

…And I’m thankful that the Salary Cap gives a whole new dimension to the Hot Stove of the NHL.

I’m thankful that I’ve been proven full of it for my pessimism over the Bucs. I’ll still say I doubt they’ll make it far if they reach the playoffs… (but then again, why mess with success? If I start singing the Bucs praises instead of being a pessimist, I might jinx’em!)

I’m thankful I’m not spending Thanksgiving Day in a hospital bed like I did in 2003…

…and thankful I don’t have to watch a Karl Rove orchestrated photo opportunity of the President in Iraq, dominating the news. If there’s so much progress in Iraq, why isn’t he over there boosting the troops morale?

I’m also very thankful for the men and women who serve in the U.S Armed Forces, guarding the country I call home, and they fact they are willing to put their lives on the line to defend the citizens of these United States. No verbal thanks really shows just how appreciative I am of this….

I’m thankful that Stu Sternberg has taken control of the Devil Rays in part because of the uncertainty that is to come… And in part because it actually looks like he’s trying to right the ship with the community and with the on-field product.

I’m thankful for cups — how many athletes (specifically hockey players) careers would have been ended without that piece of hardened plastic?

I’m thankful for the NHL getting off ESPN… Though I worry about the low quality of OLN’s broadcasts.

I’m thankful for guys like Eric McErlain, James Mirtle, Tom Benjamin, David M. Singer, Mike Chen, PJ Swenson, Lyle Richardson, Jes Golbez, Jason Kirk and the other hockey bloggers out ther that entertain, inform and sometimes infurate me with their posts. It keeps things fun…

And While I’m thanking fellow bloggers, where would I be without local support from Tommy Duncan, Ski, David Bloom, Tiny and at-distance support from Gary Perez?

I’m thankful for the longest reign of a Stanley Cup Champion without a title defense — even with the malignant atmosphere that was present during the year off from hockey.

I’m thankful for the Zamboni… Eat your heart out, General Motors.

I’m thankful for Kerry Fraser… Just kidding.

I’m thankful that the area around the St. Petersburg Times Forum is bieng developed. I’m also thankful IO am not one of the confused people that think the St. Petersburg Times Forum is in St. Petersburg.

I’m thankful that I haven’t been given a cease and desist order from Palace Sports and Entertainment yet…

I’m thankful for penalty box — where for two minutes, any given player can go through a plethora of emotions, find zen or possibly the tooth he lost on his last shift…

I’m thankful for good liquor, good friends, good music, great sports, a twisted sense of humor, cynicism, idealism, pomposity, arrogance and ignorance on my part… and I’m most thankful that people actually come to this site and read what I have to say.

I hope everyone has a great holiday.

A friend wanted me to let everyone know that, after Sunday’s Tampa Bay Lightning matchup with the Pittsburg Penguins… There’s another matchup at the Forum:

Sunday night after the Lightning game against the Penguins, The WHA Tampa Bay Sharks and the WHA Daytona Blazers will be playing at the St. Pete Times Forum. The league game will begin at 8:00 for anyone who would like to stay to watch.

Hockey and more hockey. Ain’t life grand?

“They mean it this time! Really!”

For the second straight night, officiating was hands off and the entire threat of officials strict enforcement of the rules looks like another unrealized dream. Games once again lack strong officiating after a strict start to the season… And by playoff time, officials will not exist.

Lets start with the Lightning offense before getting to the complaining:

Oh, Danny boy — for the second consecutive game, Dan Boyle lights the lamp. Not once but twice, to boot! Boyle’s second goal tied the game (grumble, grumble… must…suffocate… John Grahame… grumble, grumble) at 14:15 of the third. Rob Dimaio also scored his first goal of the season — and the indominable Ollie the Goalie suddenly seemed mortal at the time… The puck slipped through, five hole, just enough for Dimaio to grab it and give it enough push to cross the goal line.

Brad Richards and Vaclav Prospal scored during the shootout to give the Lightning their first ever shootout win. There was this kid named Alex, maybe you’ve heard of him, who accounted for Washington’s lone goal during the shootout.

…

Now lets squarely focus on about 2 minutes of the 2nd period that get to me like several inane moments in Tampa Bay goaltending this season…

First off, John Grahame continues his weak play on the breakaway / shootout (of course, his play in the actual shootout at the end of the game sort of contradicts this point but lemme say it anyway) by allowing Matt Pettinger to capitalize on a penalty shot. Of course, focus on Grahame’s weak play overlooks the desperation move on defense that gave Matt the opportunity in the first place but…

…But there’s no excusing goal #3 scored moments after the penalty shot was sunk by Pettinger.

I don’t know, folks, I just don’t know… Some people think I am way too harsh on John Grahame and then Mr. Grahame botches things up so well, so profoundly efficiently to put his team in a whole that I would think those supporters would see why I voice discontent with him. John finds himself grossly out of position once again and leaves the net open for Brian Suthersby… It’s just not even a simple screw up (not with how often these screw ups are occuring with Grahame). The game could have very well been iced by Washingtonwith the hole Grahame dug for the Lightning. It was 3-0 at this point and, only a minute into the second period, momentum could have taken the team back to the abyss that it dwelt in during it’s mediocre days of weeks gone by.

I guess you can chalk that up for perserverence then — overcoming such a screw up and pulling the team within 2 points of the Carolina Hurricanes in the Southeast Division.

Still… It makes me wonder about the call I made to give John the start in the last post. It makes me continue to wonder just how the Lightning are going to deal with the goalie situation in weeks, months and years to come… A win is a win though, and I’ll take that for the evening. A Thanksgiving eve treat that makes me thankful we’re even playing these games and not sitting through another year of the lockout.

EditTom Jones at the Times goes over the top suggesting last night’s game was the greatest / most dramatic win Lightning history… Yes, that’s right – most dramatic win in Lightning history…? I’m sorry I don’t have every game in hand that was more dramatic or comebacks that were less plausible against better teams, but I wouldn’t chalk last night’s game up with most dramatic victories in Lightning history by a long shot… That writes off quite a few terrible Lightning teams that made you love them just because of the work they did to beat one big name opponent or another in implausible fashion.

Meanwhile, Erik Erlendsson over at the Tampa Tribune takes a more tactful approach — focusing on the shootout victory aspect of the game. Not over the top, just down home journalism that trumps Jones by a long shot.

John Tortorella likes to go with the hot hand, but he is also usually aware of the physical capabilities of his netminders… That being said, that has not stopped him from starting goalies (be it Nikolai Khabibulin or John Grahame) from starting two games in a row.

With last night’s win, Sean Burke faced a good bit of work and turned away enough shots to earn the Lightning the win… Do you go with Burke?

Or does the Lightning pay attention to the fact the 38 year old netminder is coming off a groin injury, doesn’t play well against the breakaway and already has two losses to Washingotn to his credit, while Grahame has the teams sole win against the Caps?

Burke’s overdue for a W versus Alex Ovechkin… But the streaking Lightning are also overdue to punctuate their mini streak with a loss… Lets put that off as long as possible and – dare I say it – start Grahame in goal. John’s rested, and while he isn’t sound — he’s not a seive either.

Give it up to Jeffery Loria and Dave Sampson. Not only were teh Loria/Sampson duo content with ending Major League Baseball’s tenure in Montreal through lies and deceit… Now they’re formally exploring the end of Major League Baseball in Miami.

Marlins president David Samson said Tuesday the team has received permission from the commissioner’s office to investigate its options in other cities. Samson added owner Jeffrey Loria’s primary intention is to keep the team in South Florida, but added that no deal will be struck for a ballpark in Miami.

Las Vegas and Portland, Ore., which both failed to land the Montreal Expos before that franchise moved to Washington a year ago, are likely to try to lure the Marlins. Samson said another possibility is building on land near Dolphins Stadium and owned by the franchise’s original owner, H. Wayne Huizenga.

…

Gov. Jeb Bush and other top state lawmakers expressed hope the team remains in South Florida. “I’m more than happy to work with the ownership of the team and the Florida Legislature to come up with a solution,” Bush said.

To give Loria the benefit of the doubt — the team has tried and failed with 3 ownership groups to secure a baseball-only ballpark for the team since it’s inception in 1993… Loria’s efforts have also been during the tenure of an extremely pro-business governor and legislative body… Unfortunately one of their other attributes is pork projects and picking battles in plots for political gain.

I’ve expressed negative views towards the Devil Rays future… But it would seem the Florida Marlin’s future (with two World Series titles to their name to boot) is the one foremost in doubt between the two Florida based baseball franchises.

Palace Sports is continuing to look for workers in various positions to help out at the St. Pete Times Forum.

The next job fair will be held on November 28th between Five and Eight PM EST. Everything from conversion staff to banquet cooks are needed and it’s worth at least try to apply for one of these postions if you are currently seeking work.

Four of the last five have been in the Lightning’s favor — including tonight’s game in Philly which the Bolts won 4-2. However this game felt more old-school than you can see in the final score… You might catch it in the box score however.

Elbows were flying, penalties were rarely called and hands-off officiating seemed back in play… Delay-of-game and interference were in-season with refs but holding? Hooking? Whatever the case may be, the Bolts looked much like the team that swept the Flyers during the regular season in 2003-04 and not the confused and castoff band that had been playing earlier this season.

Sean Burke stood solidly in net, defending 29 of 31 shots while the Lightning got contributions from bit players on offense. Martin Cibak had a goal and an assist, Evgeny Artyukhin and Dmitry Afanasenkov eached notched assists and Rob Dimaio even got on the scoresheet.

But Burke was a difference maker in this game.. Maybe he was helped along by not facing the breakaway which seems to be his bane? Whatever the case, Sean’s effort could be looked at as one of his best efforts this season (even if it’s one of his only efforts). And the Bolts are now only four points removed from Carolina who lost tonight vs. the almighty Senators.

Tomorrow sees the team squaring off again versus Washington (and by the way, I’m not minding the over-regional schedule any more… It’s grown on me a bit, especially with the south being more competative than I expected it this year) before returning to Times Palace to take on the New Jersey Devils on Friday… Washington has been a thorn in the Lightning’s side this season and the game can be viewed as a benchmark how much better Tampa Bay is playing at current, compared to earlier this season.

Bright House Cable System thinks that the Lightning are ready for their closeup… Twenty Four Hours a day..

An all-Bolts, all-the-time channel wouldn’t feature live games, which are carried on OLN, Sun Sports and, starting in January, NBC. Rather, possible content would include highlights shows, talk shows featuring players and coaches, and taped broadcasts of classic games, Hutt said.

I’m skeptical… This would be the second 24-hour NHL Team Channel (behind the Maple Leafs) and unlike the first, the Lightning do not have a storied history to draw upon that spans decades… It has a short history that spans a decade… And much of that history are events that Lightning fans would sooner forget.

Interview shows would be nice as US viewers in general aren’t as well exposed to hockey personalities and local media does not shed enough light… But still… 24 Hours a Day? Lightning TV? Though the timing may be right for this (as the Bolts are reigning Stanley Cup champions) it feels like a foley in the making. Heaven for Lightning fans, though…

Before during and now after my hiatus from Boltsmag, there has been a change in the Lightning…

It’s not just the fact they’ve been in the win column more often than not, but they’ve been getting contributions from the stars that they should be (still minus man contributions from defensive members Pavel Kubina, Daryl Sydor and Dan Boyle though).

At the head of this — the first guy who seemed to come out of his shell – is Ruslan Fedotenko who’s scored four goals in the last five games, starting with sixth-in-a-row loss to Atlanta. Be it lucky breaks and what not, Ruslan’s absence had been much of the reason why they Lightning were stumbling through mediocrity for much of the opening month and a half.

Speaking of lucky (in this case bad) breaks, Martin St. Louis has scored in both games since returning to the lineup. It should be noted that the Lightning have won six of seven games where Martin has scored a goal this season (the loss to the Rangers last week being the lone exception) so it’s vital that Marty contribute — even if he’s got a broken finger tip.

Brad Richards is also back on the radar with points in five straigth games and… Well, wait a second… Doesn’t Brad usual have points in games? He’s scored at least one point in 18 of 22 games – I guess the bigger problem happens to be others amassing points on this team. Marty and Ruslan are two examples of this (St. Louis has points in just 12 of his games, Fedotenko racked up points in just ten.)

At any rate, the AP is heralding Freddie Modin’s 3 points as the key factor in last night’s win in Carolina. Carolina has been the beast of the southeast this year and much thanks have been given to Eric Staal for helping things along.

I’ll let Red and Black Hockey report on the game last night… But just to say so: If someone can’t fathom the concept of “Tampa Bay” representing the Tampa / St. Petersburg Metroplex… It makes me wonder how they were ever able to pass geography in High School (or give blessing to a regionally named team such as the Carolina Hurricanes or Panthers that aren’t associated with one town or one state but two).

There’s a hot button issue around the league at current and around the blogosphere to match. It’s an issue with the new NHL that points to either something that takes the thrill out of the game or is just considered a pain in the ass conclusion to games.

The Shootout.

I think everyone has said something about the shootout that can be taken as a negative. Yet there are comparisons made trying to put down the shootout… It’s an ill suited comparison that I’ll try to explain here:

“Would you mind if they ended baseball games with home run derby’s?”

Trying to associate the home run with scoring a goal is rather off base… Though both are personal monuments for players and both take a large (usually at least) physical effort to achieve, a goal being scored in a shootout is more comparable to free-throws in the NBA… And the baseball equivelent of ending games with a tie with a end-game competition would sooner be a strike-out battle between pitchers… or a “score a runner from first” dual between two teams offenses.

I am not trying to defend the shootout… Traditionalists reading this post should be able to point out that goals are supposed to have more weight in their occurances — more meaning — than free-throws in the NBA, and the shootout dilluting the meaning ofa goal seems sacriligious to some (if not many). I totally understand that in voicing disdain for the shootout… But the comparison just seems too ill to keep hearing from those against the very concept of the shootout. Goals are scored many ways in the NHL and runs are scored many ways in MLB — the Home Run is above a simple scoring of a run… Much like the shorthanded or powerplay goals are treated above a standard goal…

Tom Jones in the Times suggests tweaking the shootout to make it comparable to international hockey play as if that’d tend the wounds of fans who don’t care or the shootout at all.

…

Going back to the NBA free throw comparison / analogy… If people believe that power plays – the multitude being called, and power plays in general – kill the flow of games… Would a penalty shot in more instances be more interesting and less intrusive than 5-on-4 / 5-on-3 hockey happening numerous times a game?

Carnival of the NHL #13 is up and running at Behind the jersey – this continues to highlight NHL issues discussed on the Blogosphere…

At any rate, it’s a hell of a lot more hockey coverage than I am providing right now… Go check it out.

Still on the mend, still sticking to sports in genera; on my postings…

I have not had a very ambitious prediction for the Buccaneers this year… And even late, I thought they were the product of a weak schedule and the inflated ego of Jon Gruden…

When Chris Simms took over for the injured Brian Griese — I [ittied him not because of poor play, but because I was certain he would be made the scapecoat of the horrendous season conclusion that was undoubtedly forthcoming.

As of last weeks game, my doubting mouth was shut.

As of today’s final – I humbly ask for my serving of crow…

I also ask that Buc fans don’t run Chris out of town for the next flavor-of-the=month as they did with Shaun “Cool Jazz” King …. And so many other quarterbacks over the years. But only time will tell…

John Romano had a good article in the St. Petersburg Times this week that should shock and amaze Tampa Bay residents and should be loathed and hated by the rest of the College Football world…

Being in the Big East this year, and performing well within it, USF is deep in the BCS hunt.

Beating Cinncinati today furthered them along… and made me wonder two things in general:
!) When will the NCAA get wise and finally institute a playoff system which lets all conferences participate?
2) WHen are people actually going to start to attend USF Football games?

Greg Auman of the Times has a USF “Bulletin” blog… It’s more coverage – but less true blogging – than you will find elsewhere for the Bulls.

Another short entry…

Stuck in the 80’s has an interesting report over on their site:

Beer vendors at the Forum were overheard saying that U2 fans drank more beer than the last two Lightning games combined.

Guess the Bolts never made good on the “unlimited beer for season ticket holders” sign up promotion….

Hi folks, just givinga little entry here to let you know I am still alive and just lack patience to post much… Patience you ask? Well I am typing with one full hand and one finger on my right hand at current as I compose this message…

But seriously, if Marty can overcome a finger injury, I should be able to overcome a mangled hand and post sooner than later.

Hi guys, this is John’s brother, Mike. John had surgery on his hand/wrist today and he regrets to inform you he’ll be afk (away from keyboard) for around a week’s time. He apologizes for the absence, but his hand is all wrapped up and between the pain and the awkwardness, he’ll be fairly useless for the next week. He wishes you all the best, and he’ll be back soon. Take care.

Six straight.

One.

Two.

Three.

Four.

Five.

Six.

Plenty to say but six straight is something to dwell on. The Lightning aren’t out of it – too early in the season to think that way – but right now the team’s entire makeup has been in tatters.

It’s scary how bad the Lightning are right now — it goes beyond the streak. Ilya Kovlachuk scored his first goal Friday night and immediately the Lightning started to screw up, mishandle the puck, cause turnovers, etc… The cage was rattled at the end of the first and Kovy was the zookeeper. Four goals by Ilya are something to be bemoaned by the Bolts and yet heralded byt eh NHL as hope for the future and helpful for the re-emergence of the league.

But enough about the league — we’ve got problems here at home.

There was a team meeting called yesterday to discuss eveyrthing, the anemic power play, the death fo the penalty kill, video was reviewed and la-de-da. You can speculate all you want (as some Lightning fans are) about what is forthcomign with the team. Soem think that a simple change in captaincy will happen and all ills will be cured, others are thinkign there are changes via transactiosn coming – a big name will depart to give mroe room under the cap for Feaster to play with, while the scant few are putting this on Tortorella’s head (much like they did during the lull during 2003-04 before the Lightning’s dominant run from January til June).

That still doesn’t erase the big black cloud hanging over the franchise at current:

The Lightning are losing, and are under .500 for the first time since 200-02. (You do not know how odd that is to type in – knowing hwo low the team had been for so long and how high they have been flying for 2 seasons in comparison)

There are positives out there, however few they are. Vaclav Prospal continues to be dominant – notching goal number 10 on Friday night. Ruslan Fedotenko decided to make an appearence on the scoresheet as well — working his way in for a goal versus the THrashers. The effort was soemthing that probably sparked hope through a lot of Bolt fans (including this one) before the house of cards came tumbling down near the end of the period.

The negatives are still standing, however, in the fact the defense seems in tatters… AM I the only one that misses Jassen Cullimore immensely? It pains me to see Daryl Sydor wearing #5 when, I believe, what we are lacking is the big stay-at-home defensive presence in the top four rotation. Of course the game has changed and the rules make it tougher to defend in front of the net – but I’m trying to understand if it’s also supposed to make it impossible to lay a check as well?

Brian Eklund is being returned to Springfield of the AHL after last nights performance. Nick Taransky will be joining him on his voyage back to the AHL…

However, that doesn’t seem to mean Sean Burke is ready to go. Gerald Coleman has been recalled from the Falcons. Coleman has played 6 games and 355 minutes, he has a 3.21 GAA and .895 Save percentage while compiling a 3 and 2 record.

One has to wonder though if this move is simply for depth or what? Was Tortorella that unimpressed with Eklund’s performance (19 shots faced, 16 saves)? Are the Lightning so confident that Burke will be back soon that they’d rather have Eklund’s backup as John Grahame’s backup in Tampa and Brian getting a workout in Springfield? Does this address poor play by Martin St. Louis, Rusland Fedotenko and a sub par defense that seems to lack a physical presence?

More questions than answers but Coleman is coming to town – for whatever length of time that happens to be. He did not get a start during the pre-season with the Bolts, and it’s another question if he will see playing time during this tenure in Hockeybay.

So Brian Eklund made his first start, supplanting John Grahame’s flop-too-early Kevin Weekes immitation for the night…

So Dave Andreychuk got a night in the press box instead of in the starting lineup — the first time that has happened in his career with the Lightning — and Martin Cibak made his first start in several games…

So John Tortorella shook up every line and made you wonder what the hell was going on for sure… Lecavalier and Richards together in the regular lineup? WHen was the last time that happened? Back in Rimouski? Ruslan Fedotenko demoted to the fourth Line?

It still resulted in another Canadiens come back win this season and another puzzling loss for the Lightning where the once-resilent Lightning team that could always be certain they would get back in a game seem to be wondering if they are in the game at all.

Brian Eklund stopped 16 of 19 shots in his NHL Debut… Vaclav Prospal scored his 21st point fo the season — and is on a pace for 107 points… That’s just about twice his point production in Anaheim in 2003-04.

…and while I’m rambling aobut points with the team, lemme ask every fan out there – why are the Lightning afraid to check anyone? Are penalties that strictly enforced now to actually worry about solid checking? Or are is this team that lacking in this department – expecially on defense? It was guaranteed that Jassen Cullimore woudl deliever solid hits during a game and usually you could expect the same from Pavel Kubina… But this season it seems the only thing the Lightning defense is capable of is being timid about being physical. Stick work is highlighted over solid checks and intimidation.. It seems like poor defense is what’s haggering the offense to a degree (notforwards poor defensive play, I mean a weak blue line hampering things in the other zone).

You know, Mike Egener was sent down from Springfield to Johnstown for whatever reason and I’m starting to wonder if they moved the guy int he wrong direction within the system?

TSN is reporting that Brian Eklund will be making his first NHL start versus Les Habitants tonight at the Bell Centre. All of thsi on the heels of John Grahame being simply inconsistant to a grandoise extent. I already made mention that Eklund hasn’t been a bargain in his time as a starter in Springfield, but I’m not the head coach or GM… It’s not my call what happens and who starts.

The Trib is running a piece on Vinny Lecavalier going back to Montreal and yet from the title alone, you get this wierd feeling that the fact Vinny’s been back to Montreal several times since he won the cup (over summer 2004 and such) is being ignored on a slow news day. This follows up a “No, really?” article that proclaimed the Lightning were on a losing streak.