Tampa BAE Lightning Game 22: The Biggest Tampa Sports Story Today
It's Pontus Time, baby
On a day where absolutely nothing else of any significance has happened for Tampa sports, the Lightning will be taking on the Calgary Flames at 7 p.m. inside Benchmark International Arena for a Thanksgiving Eve match up.
Tonight is the first of two regular season match ups against the Flames. The Lightning are coming into tonight riding a four game winning streak that has seen them continue to win despite missing major pieces from the team.
The injury bug bite gets a little bit better tonight with Pontus Holmberg making his return to the line up. Hedman, McDonagh, Cernak, & Point are all still expected to be out.
The Flames come into tonight riding their own three game winning streak—a much welcome reprieve for their fans after the absolutely disastrous start to their season. Since the Flames started so poorly, a season wide look may not be the most appropriate thing. Instead, let’s check their last fives.
Overall, the Flames are 3-1-1 in those games. They have scored 19 goals while simultaneously allowing 15. Their quality of opponent hasn’t been stellar with games against the Jets, Blackhawks, Sabres, Stars, & Canucks. Also, the Flames powerplay is worse than the Bolts, shockingly.
Bottom line: you never want to overlook an opponent. Ever. The parity in the NHL, especially when you’re missing most of your starting defense, is wild. That said, this is an absolutely winnable game for the Bolts. Stay focused, get a big game out Hagel-Cirelli-Kuch, let Vasy be Vasy and I like their chances.
Come shake off the Golesh drama and enjoy a hockey game before we stuff our faces full. See you at 7! Go Bolts!