Woodward: The Tampa Bay Lightning Weekly Report

[box type=quote color=blue] Welcome to this week’s edition of the Tampa Bay Lightning Weekly Report, where we break down everything you need to know in preparation for another week of Bolts’ hockey. In each post, we will include a brief analysis of every recent game, present Tampa Bay’s key performers of the week and evaluate all potential roster moves by the Lightning.[/box]

GAME ANALYSIS

Thursday November 20 – Toronto Maple Leafs 5 – Tampa Bay Lightning 2

Bolts’ MVP of the Game:  Nikita Kucherov (1 assist, plus-1 rating)

• Entering the game under increasingly intense pressure from fans and local media alike, the Toronto Maple Leafs absolutely had to emerge with a strong response in this game. Unfortunately for the Lightning, they were simply unable to match Toronto’s desperation level on this night, falling behind by a prohibitive 4-1 score after two periods. Captain Steven Stamkos broke through onto the score sheet in the third, registering his thirteenth marker of the season, but Toronto immediately answered with an empty-netter to seal the victory. All things considered, this one was a night to forget for the Bolts. Tampa Bay goaltender Ben Bishop recorded 16 saves in the defeat. (Photo/Susan Ferlita)

Saturday November 22 – Tampa Bay Lightning 2 – Minnesota 1

Bolts’ MVP of the Game:  Anton Stralman (2 assists, plus-1 rating, 2 shots)

• In a contest highlighted by a pair of red-hot goaltenders, the Tampa Bay Lightning

  

  narrowly emerged with a victory over the visiting Minnesota Wild last Saturday evening. Ben Bishop carried the load for Tampa Bay, stopping 30 of 31 shots faced, with Minnesota’s lone score coming from Zach Parise early in the second frame. After the Wild got on the board first, the Lightning were able to respond while on the man-advantage, striking on Steven Stamkos’ fourteenth goal of the season. Less than five minutes later, versatile forward Alex Killorn expertly redirected a shot from the center of the slot, sending it through the wickets of Wild netminder Darcy Kuemper. With a strong third period effort in the defensive zone, Tampa Bay was able to finish off a 2-1 home-ice win over Minnesota. (Photo/Susan Ferlita)

Wednesday November 26 – Tampa Bay Lightning 4 – New York Rangers 3

Bolts’ MVP of the Game:  Ryan Callahan (2 goals, 1 assist, 5 shots)

• After the disappointing fashion in which he chose to orchestrate his exit from

  

  Tampa Bay last spring, Martin St. Louis’ once pristine reputation took a serious hit. Since the trade, his comments about the Lightning have certainly been less than flattering. All things considered, it wasn’t much of a shock to see him being booed heartily the first time he touched the puck on Wednesday evening. Even less surprising though, was the excellently put together tribute video played for him by the Lightning. It was a very classy move on the part of an organization that could have easily ignored the return of a man who left them high and dry during a playoff run last March.  Ironically enough, it was Ryan Callahan, the former Rangers’ captain dealt to Tampa Bay in exchange for St. Louis, who carried the Lightning to victory on this night, picking up two goals and an assist. (Photo/Susan Ferlita)

Saturday November 29 – Tampa Bay Lightning 4 – Ottawa Senators 1

Bolts’ MVP of the Game:  Alex Killorn (1 goal, 1 assist, plus-2 rating)

• After allowing a late first period goal to veteran Senators’ forward David Legwand, the Lightning responded with an excellent effort over the game’s final forty minutes. Answering first for Tampa Bay was Ryan Callahan, picking up his third goal in two games. In the third, the Bolts offense exploded with another trio of goals to surge past Ottawa with a 4-1 home-ice victory. Goaltender Ben Bishop stopped 26 of 27 shots faced in the game. (Photo/Christine Gunn)

Monday December 1 – Tampa Bay Lightning 6 – New York Rangers 3

Bolts’ MVP of the Game:  Tyler Johnson (2 goals, 1 assist, plus-4 rating, 5 shots)

• With an offensive attack powered by two-goal performances from both Brett

  

  Connolly and Tyler Johnson, the Lightning reeled in their third consecutive victory over the Blueshirts on Monday evening. In just his second game back since returning from a fractured finger, Lightning franchise defender Victor Hedman immediately made his presence known, registering a game-high three points (all assists) in more than 24 minutes of ice time. It was an excellent team effort on this night for Tampa Bay, with nine different players each making their way onto the score sheet. Sophomore forward Tyler Johnson continues to be difference-maker for the Bolts, adding three additional points to his total on Monday. Thus far, the 24-year-old Spokane, Washington native has scored eight goals and added 18 assists in just 25 games of action. (Photo/Christine Gunn)

INJURY REPORT

No injuries to report.

ROSTER MOVES

The Lightning traded defenseman Eric Brewer to the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for a 2015 third-round draft pick. (Photo/Christine Gunn)

Defenseman Victor Hedman returned from IR.

THREE STARS OF THE WEEK

1.) Ryan Callahan – 3 goals, 3 assists, plus-1 rating, 18 shots

2.) Steven Stamkos – 3 goals, 4 assists, plus-2 rating, 13 shots. (Photo/Christine Gunn)

3.) Tyler Johnson – 2 goals, 3 assists, plus-4 rating, 11 shots

STANDINGS AND TEAM STATISTICS

LOOKING AHEAD

Next up for the Lightning is a Tuesday evening showdown in Buffalo against captain Brian Gionta and the Sabres. From there, the Bolts will return home to Amalie Arena for four straight home contests. The first of which will be a rematch against the Sabres on Thursday December 4.

(Feature Box Photo/Christine Gunn)

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