Michael Stuart: Thumbs Up, Thumbs Down: Weak Goaltending Sinks Lightning

Pssst, will sell you a good back-up goalie for a Cernak or Cirelli

That should have been a 4-2 win... 5 on 5 the Lightning were crushing the game and the PK seemed to hold up well. Rutta was an idiot on one play and I remember another horrible defensive play but other then that McBackup should had the rest as they were not high difficultly chances, that softy to open the third to Stralman was the death nail on that game for the Lightning. I was surprised the Lightning went with McBad seeing as they had an extra day before Dallas.

I hope they sustain no more injuries then they currently have and they need to wrap Vasy up in bubble wrap whenever he is not in the pipes because if McBackup has to take over it will be the beginning of the end on this season.

And oh yeah they need to find another RD who is better then Rutta, Schenn and a learning Foote. It will be their downfall if they don't in my opinion.

The first FL goal was weird, I guess the puck hit a pile of snow because it really slowed down before getting around to mcbackup. But then he kinda froze and was very slow to try and get back to his crease.
The sixth goal it appeared that he was totally screened, a defender was moving Hornqvist away from the front and they both went right in front of him as the shot was taken. I don’t think he ever saw the puck until it was on him.
He did make a great inspector gadget leg save to rob Duclair early in the game, but later was beaten badly on the wrap around goal by Duclair.

The first FL goal was weird, I guess the puck hit a pile of snow because it really slowed down before getting around to mcbackup. But then he kinda froze and was very slow to try and get back to his crease.
The sixth goal it appeared that he was totally screened, a defender was moving Hornqvist away from the front and they both went right in front of him as the shot was taken. I don’t think he ever saw the puck until it was on him.
He did make a great inspector gadget leg save to rob Duclair early in the game, but later was beaten badly on the wrap around goal by Duclair.
- Ratsreign

On the Stralman goal he was so out of position, he was horrible and the reason the Lightning lost, I give credit to the Panthers as well they played hard and took advantage of a goalie that was clearly fighting it all night. I thought Cooper should have pulled him but then it became clear they were going to ride him and rest Vasy. Makes me wonder if maybe Vasy is a little nicked up which is not good for the Lightning.

Vasi > Hedman > Kuch/Point > Stamkos > everyone else

This is the scale of the Bolts being completely phucked if a player gets hurt long-term.

Last night's game illustrated Vasi's importance. The Panthers played very well and it was a deserving win for them, but it was also a winnable game for the Bolts. McBackup wants some of those biscuits back.

If Vasi goes down, the Bolts are a .500 team.

I still have yet to see any definitive angle of the Stamkos goal actually going in the net. Every angle shown never shows the puck crossing the goal line - weird one for sure.

Vasi > Hedman > Kuch/Point > Stamkos > everyone else

This is the scale of the Bolts being completely phucked if a player gets hurt long-term.

Last night's game illustrated Vasi's importance. The Panthers played very well and it was a deserving win for them, but it was also a winnable game for the Bolts. McBackup wants some of those biscuits back.

If Vasi goes down, the Bolts are a .500 team.
- GalacticStone

Well said! Vasi’s numbers are like he’s an 8.4 and the next goalie in the league is like a 5...I don’t know all the metrics names but Vasi is THE rock!

Well said! Vasi’s numbers are like he’s an 8.4 and the next goalie in the league is like a 5...I don’t know all the metrics names but Vasi is THE rock!
- Justbecause

I read an article I think on the athletic that since Vasilevskiy joined the Lightning from the AHL the Bolts average 118 points over 82 game played over all his years playing. The Lightning are good and over that span all other Lightning goalies including Bishop average 102 or 104 not sure over 82 games played. So basically Vasy is worth 7-8 wins more over a 82 game season. That seems good. I also think Vasy is underrated by alot of people still especially analytics people but I know the opposing players respect him. He needs to stay healthy.

I read an article I think on the athletic that since Vasilevskiy joined the Lightning from the AHL the Bolts average 118 points over 82 game played over all his years playing. The Lightning are good and over that span all other Lightning goalies including Bishop average 102 or 104 not sure over 82 games played. So basically Vasy is worth 7-8 wins more over a 82 game season. That seems good. I also think Vasy is underrated by alot of people still especially analytics people but I know the opposing players respect him. He needs to stay healthy.
- stammerman

Season ticket holder, pre Covid-19 since Vinik bought the team. Vasi has taken my breath away numerous times since he’s come up! Without him...

Season ticket holder, pre Covid-19 since Vinik bought the team. Vasi has taken my breath away numerous times since he’s come up! Without him...
- Justbecause

Vasy has been great, not many shutouts but seems to always finish out the game. Never really injured which is rare for goalies his size. Was not thrilled with the 9.5 mil contract but very happy to finally be solid in net

Vasy has been great, not many shutouts but seems to always finish out the game. Never really injured which is rare for goalies his size. Was not thrilled with the 9.5 mil contract but very happy to finally be solid in net
- Richard N Cider

Yeah those contracts can be killers with the cap, now pandemic as well. But Russians are lucky they have that little bargaining chip, and good for them, the K!

I’m all for players looking out for themselves. Yes it’s a team game but the team doesn’t pay the bills after retirement. Not a Tyler Johnson fan but he gives Up more pay to stay, take less and previous gave out no movement clauses like weed at a high school reunion LOL. Now he’s gotta go. He should kiss Kuch’s hip because the guillotine waits for him this next off season if not earlier

Yeah those contracts can be killers with the cap, now pandemic as well. But Russians are lucky they have that little bargaining chip, and good for them, the K!

I’m all for players looking out for themselves. Yes it’s a team game but the team doesn’t pay the bills after retirement. Not a Tyler Johnson fan but he gives Up more pay to stay, take less and previous gave out no movement clauses like weed at a high school reunion LOL. Now he’s gotta go. He should kiss Kuch’s hip because the guillotine waits for him this next off season if not earlier
- Justbecause

I do like TJ, something about an undrafted, undersized guy making it in the nhl. Kinda like MSL. Yes, he is no longer a 5 mil player. Kinda wish we could keep the current team together forever, we’ve been lucky to keep the band together so far. TJ will not be the only guy leaving at the end of this season. Good to see Joseph and Smith making a case to stay in the bigs cuz we will need them.

I do like TJ, something about an undrafted, undersized guy making it in the nhl. Kinda like MSL. Yes, he is no longer a 5 mil player. Kinda wish we could keep the current team together forever, we’ve been lucky to keep the band together so far. TJ will not be the only guy leaving at the end of this season. Good to see Joseph and Smith making a case to stay in the bigs cuz we will need them.
- Richard N Cider

I love the TJ story. Just what he did after being taken off the triplets I found disheartening and childish. It’s water under the bridge but for me he’s tarnished. But yes his story is nice. Him, not so much.

I love the TJ story. Just what he did after being taken off the triplets I found disheartening and childish. It’s water under the bridge but for me he’s tarnished. But yes his story is nice. Him, not so much.
- Justbecause

With the Lightning now down Kucherov (1RW), Cirelli (2C), and Stephens (4C) its now time for Tyler Johnson to step up and prove he can still play for himself (and trade considerations LOL). He will get the playing time and be on lines where he is expected to produce. Now or never for TJ.

The Lightning have a tough stretch coming up with Carolina, Dallas, etc in a short time frame and not having Cirelli during that time will be a huge lose. It will be interesting to see how they play and their line combinations with the injuries.

Well, Lightning get a little more time to rest up and practice. The thursday game is postponed. It won't help much for Cirelli or Stephens, but it might help with Stamkos or some others who might be playing while banged up. Stamkos is a glass cannon, so it doesn't seem terrible for him to get some extra recuperation after that recent injury.

Agree about Johnson. I used to think JustBecause (and others) was being a hardass about Johnson, but I am starting to think they were right as time goes on. Look at the other two Triplets and compare them to now. Palat is playing the best hockey of his career. Kucherov is Kucherov. Johnson.......well. Palat had injury issues also, but Johnson's main bugaboo seems to be his wrist, which was never the same after he broke it in that 2015 Chicago series (dirty slash if I recall). I don't know if it's a legit medical reason why his production has declined (impacted his shot?), but it seems to be a turning point in his career. He was perceived to have a higher ceiling before that injury, and after that he has steadily declined in overall production, while Palat and Kucherov have continued an upward trajectory.