Inconsistent Bolts Consistent
December 19th, 2009
By AMANDA HARRIS
JoeBoltsFan.com analyst
If there is one thing the inconsistent Bolts are consistently good at, it’s winning the second meeting in a series of back-to-back games. With Friday night’s 6-3 win in St. Louis, Tampa Bay’s two-games-in-as-many-nights record now sits at 4-0-1.
Big ups to the boys for this team effort which saw seven (count them, seven) on the board with two points a piece. Vinny Lecavalier notched his 700th career NHL point (on his second assist of the evening) and Steven Stamkos potted a pair, numero dos being an empty netter that sealed the deal to put the brakes on the Lightning’s six-game losing streak.
Have to say the first period belonged to the Blues as they out shot Tampa Bay 5-11, using short quick passes to speedily maneuver the puck through the neutral zone and onto Antero Niittymaki’s radar. Putting the hurt on early, St. Louis led the way in hits through 20 minutes (3-12), setting an aggressive tone for what would become a very chippy match-up.
For a stretch there it looked as if the Blues were cherry picking their men, standing many a Bolt up on the Lightning blueline and making it exceedingly difficult for Tampa Bay to generate any kind of offensive drive. All the more encouraging then to witness Alex Tanguayand Marty St. Louis connect within 33 seconds of the other St. Louis’ goal (which saw Brad Winchester beating both birthday boy Victor Hedman and Andrej Meszaros to score on the power play), no?
The boys in (Lightning) blue managed to carry the momentum created by the Tanguay-St. Louis harmony straight through the middle stanza as Stamkos’ one-timer lit the lamp shortly before Kurtis Foster ripped a signature slap shot from the point to stick it to Blues backstopper Chris Mason. Had Blair Jones not opted to spread ‘em, taking his screen to the air, the youngster would probably be bidding his ability to have children a tearful adieu about now as Foster’s screamer was headed straight for the business.
With guys like Tanguay and Ryan Malone employing a little give-and-go action to create some beautiful chances on the night (Tang’s resulting in Marty’s first period tally), it’s quite evident the Lightning’s confidence level still has a pulse. And even before the scoring tit-for-tat that occurred in the final 20, a more assertive Tampa Bay team could be seen on the ice.
Sure, the defensive zone coverages were weak at times (the Bolts playing with five D after Matt Walker’s undisclosed lower body bang-up caused his intermission departure) and the power play had another 0-fer. All in all however, the boys saved face last night, superstud Jeff Halpern not letting his injured mug deter him from a stellar first-star-worthy two-goal evening.
Really nice to see Niitty’s new mask serving him well too, the netminder putting in another solid performance between the pipes (which is where he stays, which is why he tends to make those key saves at those key moments, Mike Smith).
Perhaps the fresh artwork and Vinny abstaining from his usual pre-warm-up toppling of the puck pyramid were just the kick in the pants these guys needed to halt the skid and get things moving in the right direction again.
Much as I’d like to believe it was this tandem of skill and superstition however, only a win in “Lawnguyland” on Monday will sway me into thinking we’re now on the up and up.
