Tampa BAE Lightning Game 56: Weird History
Sometimes truth is stranger than fiction
After breaking for the 4 Nations Face Off, The Tampa Bay Lightning are back in action on home ice against the Seattle Kraken at 6 PM.
This is my first game preview in quite a while because 1) We had the 4 Nations Face Off Break & 2) Unfortunately, the day job & my theater commitments have kept me super busy, but I’m excited to be back and I hope you’re all ready for some hockey!
The Bolts & The Sea Monsters have faced off already this season with the Bolts winning in Seattle 5-1 on December 14th with Johansson in net (more on him another time).
Since that meeting, The Bolts have gone 15-10-2 with a 4 game losing streak and a 4 game winning streak that we saw just before the break.
On the flip side, the Kraken have gone 10-14-2, but they ended before the break with a win against Calgary and followed that up by beating the Panthers last night in Sunrise.
Statistically, the Bolts should really run away with this one. They lead Seattle in Goals For, Power Play, Penalty Kill, & Goals Against. The Kraken played last night while the Bolts had an extra rest day for their tournament guys and the rest of the team has been off. Plus we should see JJ Moser!
But here’s my trepidation: The Lightning have struggled after the All Star break for basically the last decade. Take a look…
2023-2024 Season: Two game losing streak after the break.
2022 - 2023 Season: Two game losing streak after the break.
2021 - 2022 Season: Lost 1st game back from the break.
2020 - 2021 Season: No All Star break due to COVID
2019 - 2020 Season: Lost 1st game back from the break
2018 - 2019 Season: Lost 1st game back from the break
2017 - 2018 Season: Lost 1st game back from the break
2016 - 2017 Season: Lost 1st game back from the break
2015 - 2016 Season: WON THE 1ST GAME BACK FROM BREAK
2014 - 2015 Season: Lost the 1st game back from the break
And even though the game was cancelled due to COVID in the 20-21 Season, I bet you they would have lost if it happened.
So, I’m hopeful and excited, but I also recognize the straight up weird history here. Add in that the some of your biggest guns might be a little tired after a hard tournament and I’m just saying proceed with caution.
Sadly, I’ve got tech week rehearsal starting tonight so I won’t attend, but you should totally watch and enjoy. Go Bolts!
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