Welcome to this version of Lightning Strikes, a sequence that includes quotes and feedback from gamers, coaches, administration, journalists and followers alike regarding the Tampa Bay Lightning. This ongoing column goals to seize a slice of the present outlook, attitudes, and tradition surrounding the group.
The largest information of the week was the emotional return of longtime Lightning captain Steven Stamkos to Amalie Enviornment after signing with the Nashville Predators as a free agent within the offseason. The Lightning group performed a tribute video that highlighted iconic moments from his profession, starting from the “Seen Stamkos” promotions after he was drafted, to elevating the Stanley Cup, to his five hundredth aim ceremony.
Stamkos’ Early Struggles in Nashville
Stamkos has but to search out his consolation zone with the Predators. He started the season with Tommy Novak and Jonathan Marchessault after which performed a number of video games with Colton Sissons and Marchessault. In Saturday’s time beyond regulation win towards the Columbus Blue Jackets, he performed alongside Novak and Gustav Nyquist. He addressed the struggles of enjoying for a brand new group in a pre-game interview:
“It takes occasions. It has been an adjustment interval not just for me however for my household and my pals. Every thing. That is all I had recognized my entire life as an expert athlete. It’s definitely troublesome when it comes to that however I landed in an excellent place when it comes to a spot that’s now house for my household. That transition has been nice. They’ve most likely dealt with it lots higher than I’ve personally. Clearly, we didn’t get off to the best begin, myself included. You place that strain on your self however we’ve turned the web page slightly bit.”
The 34-year-old signed a four-year, $32 million contract with the Predators in July. By means of the primary eight video games, Stamkos had only one aim, however he picked up two assists towards the Lightning, who ultimately prevailed in time beyond regulation.
Stamkos will seemingly get again to the offensive producer we’re used to seeing from him. One of many first issues that stands out about his early play is his low taking pictures proportion. He had a 3.3 taking pictures proportion on 30 pictures on aim earlier than the Lightning recreation, however he’s tied with Jonathan Marchessault for third on the group in pictures on aim, solely trailing Roman Josi and Filip Forsberg. His profession taking pictures proportion is 16.7, which is able to seemingly be his norm because the season goes on and he settles in additional together with his new group.
Former Teammate Reacts to Stamkos’ Return
The Lightning gamers stood intently and watched in awe all through the video tribute that portrayed the significance of Stamkos to the group over the past 16 seasons. The tribute and fan response was mentioned by present Lightning captain Victor Hedman after the sport:
“It was fairly cool. The group began chanting his identify, and so they gave him slightly little bit of an applause when he had two apples, so it was good to see him again.”
Hedman is coming off certainly one of his higher video games of the season when he scored two objectives to assist lead the Lightning previous the New Jersey Devils, 8-5, final Tuesday (Oct. 22). He now has two objectives and 6 assists on the season.
Paul Scores Additional time Winner
After the Predators tied the sport within the third interval, Nick Paul tapped house a backdoor go from Guentzel for the game-winning aim 3:22 into time beyond regulation. Paul mentioned the significance of the play and the way the Lighting got here again robust within the third interval after struggling within the second:
“(We needed to) simply get again to what we had been doing the primary interval, shifting our toes, staying out of the field and simply hounding. And we had a pair possibilities that weren’t going and we simply (stated) on the bench, simply keep constructive and hold going. Don’t change the way in which we’re enjoying as a result of whenever you get possibilities like that, one’s certain to go in.”
With the time beyond regulation aim, he has six factors (three objectives, three assists) on his present six-game scoring streak. Paul has began to search out some success on his new line with Mitch Chaffee and Mikey Eyssimont.
Conor Geekie Nets First NHL Aim
Rookie Conor Geekie scored his first NHL aim in Saturday’s (Oct. 26) 3-0 win over the Washington Capitals. Geekie talked in regards to the aim and the followers at Amalie Enviornment’s response to his memorable occasion:
“It’s a kind of issues that by no means goes unnoticed, and I feel I knew it within the preseason and stuff like that that they’ve our group’s again and, with all the things we’ve gone by way of, for them to come back ahead and watch each recreation, it means lots.”
After struggling a bit at first of the season, Geekie has picked up his first NHL level and aim throughout the final week. He had the first helper on the second of Brandon Hagel’s three objectives within the win towards the Devils earlier than displaying off his fast launch on a one-timer from the excessive slot for his first NHL aim towards the Capitals.
Associated: Steven Stamkos’ Homecoming Was the Emotional Night time We All Anticipated
The Lightning begin a four-game street journey tonight (Oct. 30) towards the Colorado Avalanche. They can even face the Minnesota Wild, Winnipeg Jets, and St. Louis Blues throughout this journey. Examine again subsequent week to see all of the quotes and feedback from the Lightning as they head out on this difficult street journey.
