Tampa BAE Lightning Game 62: Galaxy Brain Scheduling
A Divisional Opponent on the Trade Deadline
The Tampa Bay Lightning are on the ice tonight at 7 PM in a nationally televised ESPN game to take on the Buffalo Sabres for the 1st time this season.
The NHL has had some brain dead scheduling but waiting to face a divisional opponent for the 1st time until the trade deadline is definitely up there. But I digress.
The Sabres are having a messy season. They are last place in the division and very likely to miss the play offs for the 14th straight year.
Offensively they aren't that bad with 3.15 goals a game. Good for 12th in the league. Defensively, they're giving up 3.45 goals a game placing them in a brutal 29th league wide spot.
Goal tending has been tough with Luukkonen posting a .892 save percentage. He will be getting the start tonight.
Power play is a disaster for the Sabres at 17% (27th) & PK is just OK at 77%. This is another chance for the Bolts power to get some good time and get right.
So, how about recent play? Buffalo is riding a 4-game losing streak with their most recent loss being a 6-2 thumping by the Sharks.
In their last ten games, they're 5-4-1. They've given up 3+ goals 7 times in that span, but they've managed to score 3+ 7 times, too.
Clearly they know how to score, but keeping the puck out of their own net? Well, that's an entirely different story.
Overall, the Bolts have a chance to really pile on the goals here. They also could find themselves susceptible to letting a few in, especially if they don't keep up their tight defensive play. I'm sure Buffalo is going to be hungry to avenge that 6-2 beating.
In their last 10, the Bolts have let in more than 2 goals just 3 times. Even when they did, they still managed to outscore their opponents in all of 3 of those games.
We will be looking to keep the good times rolling in Amalie. Win and keep getting sharper! Lose? Well that would be embarrassing.
I’d be remiss to mention: Welcome Back, Yanni! And Welcome to Tampa Bay Oliver Bjorkstrand!
Go Bolts! See you at 7!
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