10/4: Lightning vs. Rangers in Prague

[TexasBolt]

It's go time. The game starts at noon Eastern time on NHL Network.

Something interesting I noticed when reading DC's article before the trip - the last two preseason games were played on international-size rinks. Wonder if that had anything to do with the lackluster performance. Well, that and the HC Slovak owner offering his players a bonus of 10,000 euros apiece if they beat the Lightning, which is around 20% of their average salary.

[Jester47]

Game will be on Sunshine for us locals!

Game Previews:
NHL (http://www.nhl.com/nhl/app/?service=page&page=Preview&gameNumber=1&season=20082009&gameType=2)
ESPN (http://scores.espn.go.com/nhl/preview?gameId=281004020)

From TBO (http://www2.tbo.com/content/2008/oct/04/040132/sp-bolts-to-debut-firepower-fun/sports-lightning/):
"They're going to rip it up offensively," said former Hartford Whalers coach and TSN analyst Pierre McGuire. "You put Stamkos and Ryan Malone together, along with Lecavalier and St. Louis, this is going to be a tremendous team."

"I think Tampa is going to be such an exciting team to watch," (Don) Cherry said. "They got Roberts and Mark Recchi. I wish they had just one good, rock defenseman. I hope Mike Smith comes through for them. And I'm predicting they make the playoffs, I really am. For Barry Melrose to get back in there, he's hungry again, he wants to do it."

[Kowalski]

I'm obnoxiously excited for Lightning hockey again. I'll be at opening night next weekend! Go Bolts! Bring home 4 points!

[The Great Zo]

OK, please tell me I'm not the only one watching NHL Network and getting the occasional "I Love Lucy" soundclips accidentaly replacing the real audio!

CBC guys are on now. Already making jokes comparing Jagr to the theme song situation. Hrudey calls all three of Tampa's goaltenders "teriffic."

[gwf82]

Meszaros loves the hook/cross-check.

Roberts/Gratton should never see PP time but apparently theyre rolling 3 lines on it?

[The Great Zo]

End of the first.

Lots of chippy little mistakes from both teams. Probably to be expected in the first period of the season.

I thought it looked pretty evenly matched even strength -- but the lifeless Lightning PP paled in comparison to the Rangers PP. Much work to be done there. Looks like Recchi is getting PP time on the left point.

Vinny looks good.

Prospal: "Yes, lots of chances on both sides. I guess the goalies' equipment is too big."

[Jester47]

I know this is kind of dumb, but I hate the new "score box"...

[Hoek]

Rangers are blowing so many chances so far. We're just dodging bullets I'm afraid.. :/

Finally one goes in for them. Smith will wish he had that one back, but then he's had enough breaks and good legit saves already.

[gwf82]

To this point Melrose has being rolling lines no matter what which kind of bothers me. May not for others, but there are certain situations that require an energy line or a scoring line that he has being rolling lines right on through thus far.

[KyleFreadrich43]

I'm not longer fond of Shane "Me and my magic stick" O'Brien, did Turtleshella really geld him this bad....while your over there in Europe Shane, why not get fitted for a mangina, it'd fit your playing style much better....no reason Naslund should have been standing after dancing around 3 Lightning players, only to have Shane wave at him with his damn stick again....

I never would have noticed Heward had he not thrown that pick for a penalty.

Mihalik looks more confident than I expected, nice to see him jump up on that short-handed play.

Still trying to figure out why Hall and Roberts are out there.

[gwf82]

I'm not longer fond of Shane "Me and my magic stick" O'Brien, did Turtleshella really geld him this bad....while your over there in Europe Shane, why not get fitted for a mangina, it'd fit your playing style much better....no reason Naslund should have been standing after dancing around 3 Lightning players, only to have Shane wave at him with his damn stick again....

I never would have noticed Heward had he not thrown that pick for a penalty.

Mihalik looks more confident than I expected, nice to see him jump up on that short-handed play.

Still trying to figure out why Hall and Roberts are out there.

The 2/3 Geritol/Hall line has shown me ZERO thus far even strength. Guys cant keep the puck in their own end to save their lives.

[the_narrow_way]

Yeah, that 4th line is very stale. TB PP better figure it out sooner rather than later this season. TB is taking some bad penalties too. Thank you Smith for keeping TB alive.

[The Great Zo]

The Tortorella era was always very disciplined -- Lightning seemed to be in the low end of penalty minutes for the league. Last year Gratton alone hurt that cause, but is the Melrose era going to leave it behind altogether?

[Hoek]

Yikes. Hope Smith is alright there. Guess the puck found an unpadded spot.

I think the Bolts were too careful about being penalized under Torts, but we're just taking dumb ones now. Ideally we'd be getting penalties for being physical, but that hasn't been the case. It's been positional gaffes and carelessness that's getting us.

[The Great Zo]

MARTY with the sniper backhand!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Hoek]

SCORE!! Marty burns the Rangers with a backhand again, LOL. That's gotta be so frickin' annoying for them.

Is that Paul Porter with the goal call? :wtf:

[gwf82]

Please bring up Smaby and get rid of Heward as soon as we're back home. He's given the puck away at least 3 times so far at the blue line.

[The Great Zo]

Malone in the box again. This guy is starting to irritate me.

[Hoek]

Damn! Stamkos stoned on the breakaway.

Crap Rags get one on the PP.

Hey look someone actually backchecked with urgency, took the body, and picked up the puck.. and.. it was our rookie! Cmon guys.. So many other players need to step it up if Steven's leading the way here.

[Donnie D]

I hate Gary Roberts

[gwf82]

I hate Gary Roberts

You and me both.

[The Great Zo]

I hate Gary Roberts

He offers nothing. But he'll play because he's one of their guys.

[The Great Zo]

Well, Smith played a great game.

I think it's fair to say he's the only player I am happy with.

[Hoek]

So much for playing 6-5 games.. :p

[RSchmitz]

41 shots allowed

[KyleFreadrich43]

Malone in the box again. This guy is starting to irritate me.

You mean for the same cross-checking call a Ranger was ignored for when he hit Vinny in front of the net?

[KyleFreadrich43]

Well, Smith played a great game.

I think it's fair to say he's the only player I am happy with.

More than impressed with Mihalik, he didn't look out of place, the only thing I'd call him on, was getting out of his shot-blocking position too early on Dubinsky's goal.

Even though he was only out for 11 minutes, 5+ was spent on the penalty kill.

[pete]

My thoughts:

Sloppy, sloppy game. The team has no identity right now, other than having some great individual players like Lecavalier and St. Louis. The young defense clutched to chipping the puck up the boards like it was their blanky, rather than looking for outlet passes to key the transition. That needs to be fixed quickly or the team is screwed. And, because they spent so much time without puck possession, the Rangers got a ton of power plays.

Whether you liked or hated Tortorella and his system, you knew what you were getting. They had a concept for moving out of the zone and they were disciplined. The Lightning had an identity. Melrose is still trying to give this team one. Right now, it looks like a Chinese fire drill in black jerseys.

And Stamkos played < 9 minutes. That's not enough. Not with the speed and skill that kid has.

Mihalik beat my expectations.

[the_narrow_way]

Not enough fire.

[TexasBolt]

It seemed like they didn't realize this game counted.

[jaydeedub]

Not enough fire.

There's no fire because there's no identity. The look on Marty's face after the buzzer just showed it. The power play lines made no damn sense to me, and they ran it like crap out there. And Stamkos hardly played. He had just over two minutes in that first period, and less than 8 for the entire game? WTF?!? Stamkos's fewest minutes in the preseason was over 14 minutes in a game, and the greatest 21 minutes. Just stupid to me not playing a guy with such talent. He needs to play with his line so they get chemistry and start to gel. I thought his line did pretty decent once they could get it going and out onto the attack. He didn't play on the power play at all either?! WTF?? And there was just no damn transition game. It was like a bunch of guys thrown in together for a pick up game or something and just couldn't get it togethor. 41 shots on Mike Smith to Tampa's 20. He does deserve better. He played super well. If it wasn't for him the score should've been much worse.

Also see how much Carle played? 29 minutes! Meszaros played 25 and Jamie freaking Heward played 20! When can we expect Paul Ranger back?!?? Now please? Cause he looked just fine to me during training camp, considering I saw him do all the same drills Vinny did.

[pete]

Not enough fire.

Not enough structure.

Look, you can't get out and skate if you can't make a breakout pass and move up the ice together.

[aapbolt]

Well I recorded this to watch later because I got home late and got to watch some of it. I think chinese frie drill is being nice. I saw no outlet movement whether a pass or skating out and that bothers me. From what I saw of the 3rd period, Smith look great but theBarry needs to give his lines some consistency so they get some chemistry. He also needs to work on his strategic planning for the games and get his best people more minutes- like Steven. I listened on the radio and could not figure out what theBarry was doing with his lines or the combos' he was using. I will take your word on Heward, but that does not surprise me as he was a late pick-up. Glad to hear that Vlad played a decent game. This young D needs help and theBarry needs to develop some strategy for his gameplan.

[CTLightning26]

All this told me is it is going to take more time. That's not a surprise. I saw glimpses of good things, but nothing sustained. Like others have said, you can't create flow and any offense when you are not exiting your zone clearly. It definitely shows they need a healthy Ranger.
I totally agree on the power-play combos. Not sure what Barry is thinking there.
Stammer, i would guess, plays much more in game two. Malone has got to make more of an impact. Vrbata made a couple good plays, but he wasn;t out there enough.
Mihallik was excellent.
I was hoping to steal a point in the 3rd, but ultimately we got what we deserved.

[timothy]

LOTS of work needed. That team looked like they had a coach who hadn't prepared a game plan and team for a game in 13 years.

[gwf82]

Man the more I think about it and watch it again, the more I despise Roberts making this team. Roberts provides no leadership on ice that the team couldnt get from a guy like Vinny or Marty. Recchi is ok by me and could provide that similar veteran presence, but Roberts provides nothing.

[The Great Zo]

FIRE MELROSE!

(someone had to start it)

[timothy]

FIRE MELROSE!

(someone had to start it)

You know, that's not what I was saying. Just rusty. That's all.

[PEIBolt]

I'll echo the 'there's more work to do' sentiments. The defence looked very nervous and without a clue. Smith was terrific. Stamkos stood out I thought. But until there's transition from the defence it's going to be rough. Very little offence generated. But, with so much turnover in the off-season and a rusty coach, did anyone expect them to look great right out of the gate?

[Sean]

did anyone expect them to look great right out of the gate?

Too many people will IMO.

I understand with all the moves that have been made, the expectations are high, but there was ONE guy on defense that actually played on this team last year out there tonight.

There were only 7 guys total between defense and forwards that played on this team last season, and two of them were Mike Smith and Jussi Jokinen, who weren't there but half a season.

It's going to take time. Consider the shortened preseason, the extra travel, the new faces, system, coaches, players...this team isn't going to jump right into it.

Yeah I saw some stuff I didn't like, but I also saw a lot of stuff that looked like it was a group of guys that hasn't had a whole lot of time to play with one another still feeling out their new linemates and d partners.

If the team still looks like this 3 weeks into the season, then I'll start to worry.

Work to be done? Of course, but I don't think anyone should have expected there not to be.

Smith was just fantastic also. He really seems like he's put it together during camp and the off season. Hopefully he continues his superb play to give his team a little bit of confidence while still shaking the dust off.

[Sotnos]

Melrose's post-game comments (http://watch.tsn.ca/nhl/clip99756#clip99756)

Kind of a sloppy mess out there and the PP is awful, but we saw a few good things at least. Mihalik was a nice surprise, Smith was excellent, Vinny looks fine health-wise, Marty is Marty. :) I think Stamkos' minutes are more a reflection of the tons of time spent on the PK than anything else. I think we'll see his icetime shoot up dramatically, you noticed him every time he did hit the ice.

They need to figure out something regarding being outshot 2 to 1 every game, we would've gotten buried (and might be tomorrow) without Smith standing on his head.

Yes Hoek, that was Paul Porter, I can't believe they imported the arena announcer too, I wonder if we'll get the Rag's guy tomorrow.

[jaydeedub]

I still don't get why Stamkos was not on a power play unit...:noidea:

[pete]

Yeah, it's insane not to use Stamkos on the PP with the shot he has.

[Sean]

Add me in with those who thought Stamkos wasn't on the ice nearly enough. Every time he was out there, he looked like he was going to make something out there.

Hopefully it's as Sotnos said and it was due to the time spent on the PK.

[WaiverWire]

Too bad they did not import the season ticket holders:D

[backstop]

I'm guessing they will break Stamkos in gradually... I don't think that's all that horrible since he is so young.

Despite the obvious errors that you all pointed out, I turned this game off feeling pretty good. Mihalik played the best I've ever seen him play, and since we are in need of a solid defenseman with his style, I hope he keeps it up. Smith looked good, although he's got to work on not giving up the softie. Vinny showed flashes of himself, so I am optimistic the injuries won't affect him as much as I worried. I think Heward is only there as a stopgap measure and to provide leadership (a la Richardson, who we all remember way too well). Hopefully it will help our young d-men learn faster.

A little sloppiness was to be expected. New players, new system, first game... I think the cohesiveness will come with time. I hope so, anyway.

[pete]

Mihalik played the best I've ever seen him play, and since we are in need of a solid defenseman with his style, I hope he keeps it up.

I love Vladdy, but he's not ready to play more than 12-14 minutes on a good night in the NHL.

Honestly, the whole way the defense was handled in the first game is a disaster waiting to happen. They're going to play Carle and Meszaros until the wheels literally fall off, and Heward getting 20+ minutes in the opener is a sick joke.

And the way the top lines were handled is a joke too. You still had St. Louis playing 22 minutes and Lecavalier playing 19:50, and the next closest guy is... Jussi Jokinen?

They need a healthy Ranger back ASAP and they need to get this defense squared away to where no one is playing more than 24 minutes a night or they are going to burn these kids out.

And, up front, you paid how much money for Malone and Vrbata? You spent how much money promoting Stamkos? And you've got a veteran weapon like Recchi? And what do you do with it?

IMO, if they've got no faith in Vrbata, take him off of Stamkos' line and put Recchi on there and give Malone/Stamkos/Recchi 15-16 minutes tomorrow, including a regular spot on the second PP unit.

[CTLightning26]

I still don't get why Stamkos was not on a power play unit...:noidea:

i agree, but i'd bet all it is is Barry is making the rookie earn it first. The vets get first crack.. But, after a awhile if he's gonna play 9-15 minutes, you got to get him out there more when there is more room. Put him out there with Vinny and Marty.

[CTLightning26]

I honestly think Carle and Meszaros' minutes will go down to reasonable numbers eventually. I just think the way the game was going, Barry wanted to send out his most experienced guys to keep him in the game so maybe they could steal a point. Add in Ranger and that settles the defense down a bit.
Heward did some decent things at times. Thought his penalty was somewhat legit, BUT...the Rangers did similar things and didn;t get called for it.
If he's in our top six all year, we're in trouble. But for now if he providing vet leadership, i have no problem. I think what it comes down to is they want to really see if he can be helpful. Playing him 5-6 minutes or sitting him as No. 7 does not answer that question. Playing him 18-20 minutes will.

[backstop]

I love Vladdy, but he's not ready to play more than 12-14 minutes on a good night in the NHL.

Honestly, the whole way the defense was handled in the first game is a disaster waiting to happen. They're going to play Carle and Meszaros until the wheels literally fall off, and Heward getting 20+ minutes in the opener is a sick joke.

And the way the top lines were handled is a joke too. You still had St. Louis playing 22 minutes and Lecavalier playing 19:50, and the next closest guy is... Jussi Jokinen?

They need a healthy Ranger back ASAP and they need to get this defense squared away to where no one is playing more than 24 minutes a night or they are going to burn these kids out.

And, up front, you paid how much money for Malone and Vrbata? You spent how much money promoting Stamkos? And you've got a veteran weapon like Recchi? And what do you do with it?

IMO, if they've got no faith in Vrbata, take him off of Stamkos' line and put Recchi on there and give Malone/Stamkos/Recchi 15-16 minutes tomorrow, including a regular spot on the second PP unit.

I'm with you on not wanting Mihalik to carry the load, but I was pleasantly surprised with the way he handled himself.

Two d-men and a "star" center who had never played an NHL game... I really think that they will eventually ramp up the ice time of the other d-men and Stamkos, but taking it easy on the first game and trying to calm the nerves is not a horrible strategy IMHO.

[Thunderstruck]

Melrose's post-game comments (http://watch.tsn.ca/nhl/clip99756#clip99756)

Yes Hoek, that was Paul Porter, I can't believe they imported the arena announcer too, I wonder if we'll get the Rag's guy tomorrow.

You will get the soothing voice of Paul Porter again today unless something has changed at the last minute...

[timothy]

Which makes a lot of sense to the majority of Czechs in attendence that do not speak English.

[chad]

Barry calling out the skill guys for not getting their noses dirty already. Wow.

I mentioned after the first two Ranger games the team cannot generate offense - and this game was 10x better than those in that area and it still wasn't enough.

Mihalik's getting a lot of praise, and a lot of praise from Barry, but I wonder if that's being graded on where he's come from or a flat grade of an NHL dman. I agree with Pete, he's got some things to offer, but in a very limited role right now. He skates well for a BIG man, but that doesn't mean he skates well for an NHL dman yet. He looked a little choppy at times.

I thought Carle did okay, and I liked the decisiveness of Niskala. I think think he should get some of Heward's minutes. If they played Heward so much to kind of calm things down because of his vet presence - then they should have signed Jason Smith.

They paid for Gratton and end up putting JJ at 3rd line C. I wonder if they had to do that over again - knowing how JJ would respond in camp - if they'd prioritize having Smith or someone else in here (Rob Blake?) more.

I think there are some things to feel positive about, but there was a reason why Torts, etc said Boyle was the motor that makes the team go. It wasn't because of his attitude or ability to pinch in. He literally started the team in motion from the backline. They HAVE to find that with the new backline.

Do I think they're capable? Definitely. There are 3 or 4 that are capable, IMO, but they have to shorten their learning curve tremendously. You can't throw away 2 months of hockey finding yourself.

[Donnie D]

You will get the soothing voice of Paul Porter again today unless something has changed at the last minute...

I thought they said Porter was the announcer because it was a Lightning home game and that the MSG folks would be doing it today.

But whether Porter is there or not is the least of my concerns. Then again if they would keep him:happydance:

[The Great Zo]

Only roster change: O'Brien out, Lundin in.

[pete]

Kolzig in net. Oh my.

[CupChamps2004]

Kolzig in net. Oh my.

No surprise, announced days ago.