Bolts Look to Break Franchise Record for Most Wins in a Season
By Jake Ricker
Overview
Tonight it’s the Tampa Bay Lightning (50-19-4) taking on the New York Islanders (31-32-10). The Bolts will look break the franchises single-season win record, while the Isles will look to continue their success after a big win against the Pens. This will be the 3rd time these two teams face off with the first meeting ending in a 5-3 Islanders victory and the second in a 6-3 Lightning victory. Both the Bolts and the Isles will look to take a 2-1 series lead as this is the final time they will meet. Let’s take a look at the game plan for these two teams as they get set to square off.
Tampa’s Outlook and Past
The Bolts have won 3 of their last 5 games scoring 14 goals over that span. with a franchise record on the line, the Bolts should have some pep in their step tonight. The Bolts are currently ranked 2nd in the league in power play percentage (23.9%). They will look to continue that success tonight as they face the Isles who have the 2ed worst PK in the NHL (75.0%). This is the start of a 2 game road trip for the Bolts before they head back home for just 1 game. They will look to tie Preds for the top spot in the league with a win tonight (Preds would have 1 game in hand).
Three Keys To The Game
1.Start How You Finished
The 3rd period was a masterpiece so carry that into the next game.
2. Barzal Watch
A key component is Barzal and the Bolts will need to shore up their defensive woes in order to stop him.
3. Defensively…Offensive?
The comeback was kickstarted by Hedman and McDonagh scoring goals and that will need to continue for the Bolts to have success against a high scoring Islanders team.
Projected Lines
Offense
Miller – Stamkos – Kucherov
Palat – Point – Johnson
Killorn – Cirelli – Gourde
Kunitz – Paquette – Erne
Defense
Hedman – Stralman
McDonagh – Girardi
Coburn – Sergachev
Goalies
Louis Domingue: 6-8-0 GAA: 3.49 SV%: .890 (Unconfirmed)
Injuries
Ryan Callahan (Out Indefinitely)
Peter Budaj (IR)
Islander’s Outlook and Past
The Isles have had an average season but are still hanging around in the playoff hunt and would like to take one more shot. The Isles have won 2 of their last 5 games scoring 18 goals over that span. The Isles are ranked 8th in PP percentage (21.8%) and will look to use that to their advantage as they take on the Bolts who are ranked 26th (76.7%) in the PK department. The Isles will have 2 more home games after tonight before they head back out for a 1 game road trip. The Isles will look to pull with 8 points of the 2nd place Devils (Wild Card) with a win tonight.
Three Keys To The Game
1. Home Sick
The Bolts just ended an8 game home stand at Amalie Arena, get on the board early and get the crowd going.
2. Top Line Shutdown
The bolts first line is killing it so far, so make sure that line does not find a ton of success.
3. Barzal
Barzal has been hot as of late recording at least 1 point in his last 4 games, look for him to have the puck at all time when on the ice.
Projected Lines
Offense
Lee – Tavares – Bailey
Beauvillier – Barzal – Eberle
Ladd – Nelson – Fritz
Johnston – Cizkas – Wagner
Defense
Leddy – Boychuck
Hickey – Pulock
Seidenberg – Pelech
Goalies
Chris Gibson 2-1-2 GAA: 2.58 SV%: .936 (Unconfirmed)
Injuries
Cal Clutterbuck (Day to Day)
Thomas Greiss (Day to Day)