There remains a ray of hope for the Tampa Bay Lightning and their quest for a trip to the post-season as their continued game-in and game-out fight remains strong.
Each game, no matter who the opponent is as critical as ever at this point and the week ahead will only challenge their fight as they'll face-off against three Eastern Conference teams in the Montreal Canadiens, New York Rangers and as well their division foe Carolina Hurricanes.
Despite each game being critical, the Lightning are faced with additional adversity as injuries continue to mount, depleting the lineup more so following the trades of Dominic Moore, Pavel Kubina and Steve Downie.
Following the trades, the team lost captain Vinny Lecavalier to a broken right hand with no timetable for his return and now Victor Hedman, with an undisclosed upper-body.
Entering the week ahead, the Lightning completed last week going 2-2-0, earning wins against the Anaheim Ducks to open the week and the New Jersey Devils to close the week. Their losses came against the Winnipeg Jets and Pittsburgh Penguins.
It was a very emotional game against the Anaheim Ducks on Tuesday (Feb. 21) as earlier in the day team and fan favorite Steve Downie was traded to the Colorado Avalanche in a three-team trade. With emotions running high, Steven Stamkos scored twice and had three points, and Mathieu Garon turned back 28 shots as the Bolts stopped the Ducks 3-2 at the Tampa Bay Times Forum, snapping Anaheim's season-high nine-game points streak.
With the Bolts win and Toronto's loss earlier in the night, the Bolts moved to within five points for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference and five points behind the Southeast Division Leaders, Florida Panthers.
On the road for their remaining three games of the week, a late rally on Thursday (Feb. 23) against the Winnipeg Jets fell short, as the Jets held on for the 4-3 win. Teddy Purcell and Martin St. Louis scored a pair of goals 46 seconds apart in the game’s final minute but it was a bit too late. Steven Stamkos scored his league-leading 43rd goal of the season, and Dwayne Roloson turned back 16 shots in relief of Mathieu Garon.
Despite outshooting and having more scoring opportunities, the Bolts couldn't do much against the Pittsburgh Penguins in their 8-1 loss on Saturday (Feb 25) afternoon at the CONSOL Energy Center. Evgeni Malkin had three goals to record his ninth career hat trick, and Jordan Staal scored twice and had three points for the Penguins.
Teddy Purcell scored the lone goal for Tampa Bay, which dropped its second straight game, and Dwayne Roloson made 26 saves for the Lightning, 10-5-2 in their past 17 games.
The Bolts capped the week with a 4-3 win over the New Jersey Devils on Sunday (Feb.26) afternoon at the Prudential Center led by Martin St. Louis who notched his second hat trick of the season and sixth of his career, snapping the Bolts two-game losing streak.
Although he didn't score a goal, Steven Stamkos added a pair of assists and Teddy Purcell added three assists to extend his scoring streak to a career-high six games. Matt Gilroy also scored and Mathieu Garon stopped 19 shots in the win.
With his 20th, 21st and 22nd goals, St. Louis has now scored 20 or more goals in nine-straight seasons. He also has 15 career goals against New Jersey goaltender Martin Brodeur.
The win enabled the Lightning to climb back to within six points of division-rival Winnipeg for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference standings.
Team Leaders – Tampa Bay Lightning (as of February 26, 2012)
Goals: Steven Stamkos (43), Martin St Louis (22), Vincent Lecavalier (21)
Assists: Martin St Louis (36), Steven Stamkos (32), Teddy Purcell (29)
Points: Steven Stamkos (75), Martin St Louis (58), Vincent Lecavalier (46) and Teddy Purcell (46)
Tampa Bay Lightning – Projected Lines/Defensive Parings
Line 1: Brett Connolly – Steven Stamkos – Ryan Malone
Line 2: Martin St. Louis – Tom Pyatt – Teddy Purcell
Line 3: Trevor Smith – Nate Thompson – J.T. Wyman
Line 4: Mike Angelidis – Adam Hall – Tim Wallace
Line 1: Eric Brewer – Victor Hedman
Line 2: Brett Clark – Matt Gilroy
Line 3: Brendan Mikkelson – Bruno Gervais
Power-Play Lines
Line 1: Ryan Malone – Steven Stamkos – Teddy Purcell – Martin St. Louis – Brenden Mikkelson
Line 2: Brett Connolly – Nate Thompson – Tom Pyatt – Brett Clark – Victor Hedman
Goalies
Dwayne Roloson - Mathieu Garon
Tuesday, February 28, 2012 vs. Montreal Canadiens
7:30 PM (EST), Television: SUN (HD) Radio: 970 WFLA-AM
Montreal (24-28-10; 58 pts) stands alone in last place in the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference and is last (15th) among the Eastern Conference teams vying for the playoffs. They currently 10 points out of the eighth and final playoff spot.
This is the third meeting of four on the season between the two clubs with this being the last played in Tampa Bay. The teams conclude their season series in Montreal on April 4.
Previous Lightning/Canadiens Results
@ Tampa Bay, Dec. 29, 2011, 4-3 (TBL):
JT Wyman notched his first NHL goal against the team that drafted him in 2004 and assisted on Vincent Lecavalier's game-winning goal that sealed the win for the Lightning, who extended their current winning streak to two games. Mathieu Garon had 31 saves on the night to pick up his 10th win.
@ Montreal, Jan. 7, 2012, 3-1 (MON):
Vincent Lecavalier scored the lone goal for the Lightning. Mike Blunden, Max Pacioretty and Erik Cole each had goals for the Canadiens, which won for the third time in their last five tries. Carey Price stopped 23 of 24 shots.
Team Leaders – Canadiens (as of February 26, 2012)
Goals: Max Pacioretty (25), Erik Cole (22), Tomas Plekanec (12)
Assists: David Desharnais (33), Tomas Plekanec (30), Erik Cole (22)
Points: Max Pacioretty (46), Erik Cole (44), David Desharnais (44)
Canadiens – Projected Lines/Defensive Pairings
Line 1: Max Pacioretty - David Desharnais - Erik Cole
Line 2: Lars Eller - Tomas Plekanec - Andrei Kostitsyn
Line 3: Ryan White - Scott Gomez - Rene Bourque
Line 4: Louis Leblanc - Petteri Nokelainen
Line 1: Josh Gorges - P.K. Subban
Line 2: Raphael Diaz - Alexei Emelin
Line 3: Tomas Kaberle - Chris Campoli
Power-Play Lines
Line 1: Erik Cole - David Desharnais - Max Pacioretty - Tomas Kaberle - P.K. Subban
Line 2: Scott Gomez - Tomas Plekanec - Andrei Kostitsyn - Yannick Weber - Chris Campoli
Goalies
Peter Budaj Carey Price
Injury Report
Lightning: Mattias Ohlund (Knee Surgery; IR-out for season), Dana Tyrell (Knee Surgery; IR-out for season), Vincent Lecavalier (Broken Hand; IR), Marc-Andre Bergeron (Back; day-to-day), Victor Hedman (Upper-body; day-to-day)
Canadiens: Travis Moen (Upper-body; IR), Michael Blunden (Knee; IR), Brian Gionta (Knee Surgery; IR), Andrei Markov (Knee Surgery; IR),
Friday, March 2, 2012 vs. New York Rangers
7:30 PM (EST), Television: SUN (HD), Radio: 970 WFLA-AM
The Rangers (39-15-6; 84 pts) are the holders of first place in the Atlantic Division and as well of the Eastern Conference, seven points in front of the second place Boston Bruins (77 pts) and 16 points ahead of third place Florida (68 pts).
This is the final meeting of their four game season series, with the Lightning looking to even the series.
Previous Lightning/Rangers Results
@ Tampa Bay, Dec. 3, 4-2 (NYR):
The Rangers snapped their four-game losing streak against the Bolts with a 4-2 come from behind win. Former Lightning players Ruslan Fedotenko and Brad Richards scored (Fedotenko opened the scoring and Richards ended it). Steve Downie and Tom Pyatt each had goals for the Bolts, who lost their third straight game for the first since Oct. 14-17.
@ New York, Dec. 8, 3-2 SO (TBL):
Dominic Moore whose errant shot during the team's morning skate struck Martin St. Louis, beat Henrik Lundqvist in the second round of the shootout to help the Tampa Bay Lightning earn a 3-2 win over the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden. Ryan Malone put the Bolts on the board in the second, tying the game at one, but it was Moore coming to the rescue as he netted a short-handed goal in the final minutes of regulation to send the game into overtime. St. Louis was scheduled to skate in his 500th consecutive game for the Lightning, which was good for the NHL's third-longest active consecutive games played streak. Mathieu Garon stopped all three of New York's attempts in the shootout. He finished the night with 28 saves for Tampa Bay, which saw its then season-high five-game losing skid come to an end.
@ New York, Feb. 9, 4-3 OT (NYR):
Steven Stamkos scored his league-leading 36th goal of the season, Vincent Lecavalier and Bruno Gervais also cored for the Bolts but it was former Bolt Brad Richards notching the game-winning goal just 2:37 into overtime after taking a pass at the side of the net from Artem Anisimov.
Team Leaders – Rangers (as of February 26, 2012)
Goals: Marian Gaborik (29), Ryan Callahan (24), Brad Richards (18)
Assists: Derek Stepan (26), Michael Del Zotto (26), Marian Gaborik (24)
Points: Marian Gaborik (53), Ryan Callahan (45), Brad Richards (41)
Rangers – Projected Lines/Defensive Pairings
Line 1: Artem Anisimov - Derek Stepan - Marian Gaborik
Line 2: Carl Hagelin - Brad Richards - Ryan Callahan
Line 3: Brandon Dubinsky - Brian Boyle - Brandon Prust
Line 4: Mike Rupp - John Mitchell - Ruslan Fedotenko
Line 1: Ryan McDonagh - Dan Girardi
Line 2: Michael Del Zotto - Anton Stralman
Line 3: Marc Staal - Stu Bickel
Power-Play Lines
Line 1: Brad Richards - Ryan Callahan - Marian Gaborik - Derek Stepan - Michael Del Zotto
Line 2: Marian Gaborik - Ryan Callahan - Derek Stepan - Brad Richards - Marc Staal
Goalies
Martin Biron - Henrik Lundqvist
Injury Report
Lightning: Mattias Ohlund (Knee Surgery; IR-out for season), Dana Tyrell (Knee Surgery; IR-out for season), Vincent Lecavalier (Broken Hand; IR), Marc-Andre Bergeron (Back; day-to-day), Victor Hedman (Upper-body; day-to-day)
Rangers: Michael Sauer (Concussion; IR)
Saturday, March 3, 2012 @ Carolina Hurricanes
7:00 PM (EST), Television: SUN (HD), Radio: 970 WFLA-AM
Carolina (23-26-13; 59 pts) begins the week in fifth place in the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference, three points behind the fourth place Lightning. In the battle for the eighth and final playoff spot, the Hurricanes are eight points behind Winnipeg.
This is the fifth of six meetings on the season and the final face-off in Carolina. The teams will conclude their season-series on March 10 in Tampa Bay.
Previous Lightning/Hurricanes Results
@ Carolina, Oct.7, 2011, 5-1 (TBL):
Jeff Skinner opened the scoring at 5:22 of the first period to give Carolina a 1-0 lead which would be the Canes lone goal on the night. The Lightning would then score five consecutive goals – two in the second coming via a Martin St. Louis wrist-shot and a Vincent Lecavalier power-play goal. In the third period, Steve Downie would add a power-play goal and just 10 seconds later Adam Hall would score to put the Bolts up 4-1. Ryan Malone would seal the win with his goal late in the period.
@ Carolina, Nov. 1, 2011, 4-2 (CAR):
Teddy Purcell opened the scoring late in the first period giving the Lightning a brief 1-0 before Chad LaRose knotted the game at 1-all with his power-play goal and first of two on the night. Carolina would add two in the second, both off the stick of Jeff Skinner, his first goal coming just 22 seconds into the opening of the period. Brett Connolly would cut the deficit to 3-2 with his first NHL goal at 14:16 of the third period, but LaRose would added his second of the game less then a minute later to give the Canes a 4-2 lead, which would hold up.
@ Tampa Bay, Dec. 31, 2011, 5-2 (TBL):
Steven Stamkos recorded his fifth career hat trick and Martin St. Louis added three assists to back Mathieu Garon's 24-save performance in the Bolts 5-2 win over the Carolina Hurricanes. Steve Downie and Teddy Purcell also scored for the Bolts and Ryan Malone added three assists in helping the team get back to .500 with a 17-17-3 record.
@ Tampa Bay, Jan. 12, 2012, 5-2 (CAR):
Nate Thompson and Teddy Purcell each had goals for the Lightning as the Hurricanes Jiri Tlusty added two goals with Tuomo Ruutu, Jay Harrison and Tim Brent also lightning the lamp. Cam Ward added 34 saves from and Eric Staal contributed with three assists in the Hurricanes win.
Team Leaders – Hurricanes (as of February 26, 2012)
Goals: Eric Staal (18), Tuomo Ruutu (17), Jeff Skinner (16)
Assists: Eric Staal (33), Jussi Jokinen (23), Jamie McBain (16)
Points: Eric Staal (51), Jussi Jokinen (32), Jeff Skinner (32)
Hurricanes – Projected Lines/Defensive Pairings
Line 1: Jiri Tlusty - Eric Staal - Jerome Samson
Line 2: Jeff Skinner - Jussi Jokinen - Drayson Bowman
Line 3: Andreas Nodl - Brandon Sutter - Patrick Dwyer
Line 4: Derek Joslin - Tim Brent - Anthony Stewart
Line 1: Tim Gleason - Bryan Allen
Line 2: Jay Harrison - Justin Faulk
Line 3: Jaroslav Spacek - Jamie McBain
Power-Play Lines
Line 1: Jerome Samson - Eric Staal - Jiri Tlusty - Tim Brent - Justin Faulk
Line 2: Jeff Skinner - Jussi Jokinen - Anthony Stewart - Jamie McBain - Jaroslav Spacek
Goalies
Mike Murphy - Justin Peters
Injury Report
Lightning: Mattias Ohlund (Knee Surgery; IR-out for season), Dana Tyrell (Knee Surgery; IR-out for season), Vincent Lecavalier (Broken Hand; IR), Marc-Andre Bergeron (Back; day-to-day), Victor Hedman (Upper-body; day-to-day)
Hurricanes: Cam Ward (Lower-body; day-to-day), Chad LaRose (Upper-body; day-to-day), Tuomo Ruutu (Upper-body; day-to-day), Joni Pitkanen (Concussion, Knee Surgery; IR), Brian Boucher (Lower-body; IR)
For more info: Tampa Bay Lightning, Montreal Canadiens, New York Rangers, Carolina Hurricanes
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