Welcome to this version of Lightning Strikes, a collection 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 prevailing outlook, attitudes, and tradition surrounding the group.
The Lightning completed their four-game highway journey 1-3 after their 3-2 loss to the St. Louis Blues on Tuesday evening. The group jumped out to an early lead on a Nick Perbix purpose however couldn’t maintain off the Blues for his or her third straight loss. Andrei Vasilevskiy made 20 saves on the evening and is one win away from turning into the fortieth goaltender in NHL historical past to succeed in 300 wins.
Hedman Talks In regards to the Three Losses
In all three of their most up-to-date losses, the Lightning took the lead however did not take benefit with some second-period points, which Victor Hedman addressed after the sport.
“We’ve simply acquired to be higher. That’s the underside line. We really feel like we’ve come out exhausting in every sport. Now we have an ideal first interval after which we’re type of on our heels somewhat bit, getting hemmed in our personal finish within the second interval. We’ve simply acquired to be higher over 60 minutes.”
The Lightning had been additionally with out Brayden Level, who missed the sport on account of an upper-body harm. Level had three objectives and 4 assists whereas scoring at the very least one level in every of his final 5 video games, and his absence was felt within the loss to the Blues. Gage Goncalves was recalled from Syracuse of the American Hockey League to take his place within the lineup. It’s unknown if Level might be obtainable for Thursday’s sport when the Lightning host the Philadelphia Flyers.
Cooper on the Holloway Damage
Blues ahead Dylan Holloway left the bench on a stretcher with 1:11 remaining within the first interval after being struck within the neck by a puck on his earlier shift. As play was stopped for a possible penalty, Blues gamers had been seen motioning and shouting for assist. The Blues reported that Holloway was alert and steady and was transported to an space hospital for additional statement. Referees Cody Seaside and Wes McCauley despatched the groups off for the primary intermission instantly after Holloway was carted away.
Head coach John Cooper supplied his ideas on this example.
“That was robust. The factor is, I didn’t actually see it, so it was exhausting to grasp what was happening. And you then see all of the St. Louis Blues gamers reacting. So, then we went again on tape. It was type of (a) tremendous scary scenario. We talked about it within the locker room too, like, hope this child’s okay. It’s clearly lots greater than the sport. To listen to the general public deal with announcer say he appeared to be doing higher when he was going to the hospital, that made all people undoubtedly on our bench really feel higher.”
To the Blues’ credit score, they rallied after shedding a key participant to harm for the second straight sport. On Sunday, they got here from behind to defeat the Toronto Maple Leafs when defenseman Philip Broberg left with a lower-body harm after Mitch Marner landed on his proper ankle in a battle for the puck 7:02 into the second interval. The excellent news is that Holloway was launched from the hospital and addressed the Blues’ media in the present day (Nov 6).
Glendening Performs in 800th profession sport
Luke Glendening began the season injured however lastly acquired wholesome and returned to the lineup for his 800th profession sport. Glendening supplied an attention-grabbing assertion on this achievement throughout his pregame interview with Lighting beat reporter Gabby Shirley.
“I by no means thought I might play one sport within the NHL. So, standing right here and speaking to you about enjoying in sport 800, I’m extremely humbled, and I’ve been so blessed with the chance, so I’m so grateful for each day I get on this league.”
Glendening had ten objectives and one help, 39 PIM, 121 hits, and 53 blocked pictures in 81 regular-season video games final season. In taking up a bottom-six position with the Lightning, he grinds down his opponents by way of many unrecognized sacrifices.
Cooper on Lightning Errors
Throughout this three-game shedding streak, the frequent thread has been the Lightning’s inconsistent play and making too many errors, which Cooper addressed after the loss to the Jets.
“That’s robust as a result of that’s type of been the story of us of late. We’re enjoying fairly effectively, and, pay attention, you’ll be able to go on profitable streaks and make errors, and so they simply don’t go within the web. Then, there are occasions once you’re enjoying fairly effectively, and also you make a mistake, and so they all the time find yourself in your web. You type of really feel like we’re in somewhat little bit of that now.”
Sadly, the Lightning have been unable to capitalize on their robust first-period play, which was on full show in opposition to the Blues once they held St. Louis and not using a shot for the primary 9 minutes of the sport and outshot them 9-3 in a scoreless first interval.
Associated: Lightning Rookie Conor Geekie Suits Properly in Prime 6 Function
After the Lightning tackle the Flyers on Thursday evening, they’ll have a one-week break earlier than internet hosting the Winnipeg Jets on Nov. 14. Verify again subsequent week to see all of the quotes and feedback from the Lightning as they try to rebound from this troublesome highway journey.
