Tampa BAE Lightning Game 58: Saturday Night's Alright

The Tampa Bay Lightning are back on the ice inside Benchmark International Arena to take on the Buffalo Sabres at 7 p.m. after falling to the Carolina Hurricanes 5-4 in Raleigh on Thursday night.

The Bolts are looking to get right on home ice after losing the second game of a back to back out of the Olympic break. That game was basically a scheduled loss that they nearly stole. The Hurricanes were rested, the Bolts didn’t get to their hotel till about 3 a.m. Jojo hadn’t played a NHL game since January 24th, and the Lightning were missing 2 of their top 3 centers—plus the Hurricanes are a really good team! I am not surprised they lost, but I’m happy with how they responded. Time to move on.

Up next we have the Buffalo Sabres. This is game two of four in the regular season between the Sabres and the Lightning. The Lightning took the first contest on February 3rd by a score of 4-3 in OT.

The Sabres are a lot better than they have been in the past. They currently sit in 2nd place in the Atlantic behind the Bolts and, barring some cataclysmic meltdown, are going to make the playoffs for the first time in 15 years. They cannot be taken lightly.

Thanks to the Olympics, the schedule to end the season is an absolute cluster. The Bolts have been on the receiving end of #galaxybrainscheduling many times, but tonight it works in their favor: the Sabres played (and won) against the Florida Panthers last night in Sunrise.

Alex Lyon got the start in net last night so the Lightning are either facing Colten Ellis or the outstandingly named Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen. Luukkonen missed the Olympics with injury, but practiced yesterday in Sunrise. Since the Sabres played last night, I don’t think they are having morning skate today. Luukkonen is definitely the stronger of the two and will give them a better chance against the Bolts.

The Bolts have beaten Ellis before and it’s tough to play back-to-back as Bolts fan saw earlier this week. I like the Lightning if Ellis starts, I think it could be a toss up if Luukkonen gets the nod. Either way, I’m expecting a really fun game. This one is important for the Bolts for a few reasons. Standings aside, we are rapidly closing in on the trade deadline. JBB will be watching closely as he decides what to do/not do before March 6th.

It’s Black Heritage Night inside Benchmark International Arena. I’ve got other plans so I can’t attend, but I’ll be listening for most of it. Go Bolts!