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Pregame and In-game from the City of Brotherly Love
Posted By Erik Erlendsson at Mar 06, 2008 at 01:37 PM
Updated Mar 06, 2008 at 09:51 PM

I have to be quick today, just got off the bus ride from Hades in stop-and-go traffic all the way down Broad St. from the Wachovia Center, and we didn’t even stop at Pat’s or Geno’s for a cheesesteak, how insulting. But I have to find a way to settle my unsettled stomach and find some nourishment.

UMMMMMMM, CHEESESTEAK

Pertinent information I know you want to know....

Mike Smith in goal tonight, which means Karri Ramo will probably get the nod tomorrow night in New Jersey.
Filip Kuba skated again today but remains out of the lineup.
Word is that Philly will be without Daniel Briere tonight - he sat out the other night against Buffalo with a shoulder injury

Lightning coach John Tortorella talked again this morning about Alex Picard and the job he has done in the first four games he’s been in the lineup. He stated that even after Kuba gets back, which seems to be close, Picard will stay in a top four role and play with Kuba. My guess is that means Shane O’Brien, whose play has slipped quite a bit recently, and Mike Lundin drop down to the 5 and 6 role and that Doug Janik is probably out once Kuba is ready to go.

This also makes it curious to see who sits once and if Matt Smaby or Vladimir Mihalik get the call up? My guess is O’Brien sits for a game or two, and perhaps even Lundin, who has performed above and beyond expectations this season, but you would have to think that he’s been worn down with the length of the season. But that’s just my opinion.

PREGAME UPDATE

Tried talking to Vinny Prospal before the game tonight as the media has a 30-minute window to speak to players before the game. At 5:15 p.m. we were told by Flyers media relations that Prospal was not in the locker room yet despite the fact the team had a planned meeting for 5:20 p.m. I don’t buy it. I’m think Prospal just didn’t want to come out and speak to us so I think the PR representative was covering an excuse for Prospal. I’ll try to gain some of his thoughts after the game, but I make no guarantees that I’ll have the time to jump into Philadelphia’s locker room.

Also, apparently Daniel Briere is fine and dandy because he’s in the lineup tonight despite missing the last game with a shoulder injury.

As I type, Jussi Jokinen scored his first with Tampa Bay 31 seconds into the game and Marty St. Louis snaps a six-game scoreless streak.

FIRST INTERMISSION

Good start, bad finish. As referenced above, Jussi Jokinen scored 31 seconds into the game and Tampa Bay was playing well. At one poing the Lightning held a 7-3 shot advantage which included a penalty kill. Then Tampa Bay got a power play of its own, Andre Roy got into a fight with Riley Cote three minutes later and the momentum died, and so did the Lightning’s lead.

A poor clear attempt by Paul Ranger just inside his blue line set up a 2-on-1 that Daniel Briere finished off at 14:51. Less than two minutes later, Dan Boyle misread a delayed offside call and allowed Jeff Carter to chip a puck away from him and skate in on a 2-on-1 put held onto the puck and flipped a nifty backhander over the shoulder of Mike Smith at the near post at 16:40.

Philadelphia now has a 2-1 lead on the scoreboard and a 11-9 advantage on the shot clock.

SECOND INTERMISSION

All right, I have a quick theory here to give. We all know that Michel Ouellet just didn’t click with Brad Richards when the two were paired on the same line and Ouellet would often find himself down playing third or four line minutes. He had seven goals through Feb. 12 and some were labeling him as a complete bust (not that it wasn’t warranted, mind you). But now, he has four goals in the past six games, including the tying goal at 8:18 of the second period on a quick release off a feed from Jussi Jokinen.

Now, my quickly thought theory is that Ouellet just couldn’t play with Richards. Maybe Ouellet is incapable of thinking the game on the same level as Richards, who we all know has incredible vision on the ice. Maybe Ouellet looked a step behind because his thought process was a step behind. Guys who see the game on a different plane sometimes need somebody to think the game in a similar manner in order to click.

I say that, because now all of a sudden Ouellet is involved quite frequently involved in the offense, and his production backs that up a bit here. Am I on to something here? Or am I just a bored sports writer looking for something to write about on a non-playoff team?

Speaking of that non-playoff team, they played a bit better in the second. The defensive pair of Dan Boyle and Paul Ranger have been split up with Shane O’Brien now playing with Boyle and Alex Picard now with Ranger. Perhaps it’s no coincidence, but the odd-man rushes against have been cut down in the second period.

And speaking of Vinny Prospal, I just haven’t noticed him much out there tonight. He was a plus-2 in the first period, but no points. Word around the press box up here is Prospal just doesn’t look overly excited to be here in Philadelphia and he’s not putting forth a strong enough effort, often losing puck battles.

Of course, now that I say that, he’ll go out and score the winning goal!!!!

Send Us Your Comments

Posted by TampaFan, Tampa on 03/07 at 03:57 PM

If the defense actually played defense then Lecavalier could probably spend his time trying to score rather than being a “floater” trying to decide whether he should cover Defense or stay Offense. Once again, when is Boyle going to start earning his $$$? I agree we could have 2 or 3 real defenders for his salary. Smith must be thinking --what happened to me?? He was a hot goalie and now he has no defense and more 2 on 1s in one game than he probably ever had.
Maybe Prospal wasn’t happy to play his old team only one week into playing on his new team. Doesn’t sound like much fun to me.

Posted by Gary Meleski, Sebring, Florida on 03/07 at 02:42 PM

Really, my friends, there is no sense ragging on these guys anymore. It is OBVIOUS to all of us who frequent this blog that V4 and M26 have packed in for the season. They are probably figuring which Golf trip to take now.
They are being BADLY outplayed by the second and third lines. The new players are battling hard. Smith is a pure breath of fresh air. let’s hope the stale feeling in the locker room does not ruin it for him. Good luck next year.

Posted by lightning friend, tampa on 03/07 at 11:46 AM

Vinny ...you are a pathetic hockey player .You are a theif , and should be shipped out with Boyle . the Lightning could afford 4 or 5 real players for the money they have to pay those two gutless’wonders”. Can someone tell me why Vinny isn’t getting slammed by the press for his disappearing act (no guts ,no character)Why is he still being called the best player in hockey ? He hasnt done anything for this team this year when he was needed the most . Boyle, what a mistake to sign him for 6 ...lets see , we could get 2 kick ass great DEFENDERS for him to complement Smith ...who is a very good goalie. Vinny , Boyle ...shame on you.By the way , on most great teams , defenders are paid to defend first,and score second . Try that out Torts!

Posted by matt, Odessa on 03/07 at 11:20 AM

Why the hating on Vinny? I saw him get back on defense a ton last night. So, if he doesn’t score you are going to dog him for it, and if he doesn’t get back on D you are going to dog him for it. Sounds an awful lot like Fonzie Tortorella. But golden boy Richards never scored and never used his body, but Torts never got on him. Would you want to play for a coach like that? Oh wait, how about a coach that cries to the Media when his players aren’t playing up to par. Is he scared to yell at them face-to-face? The cancer is Fonzie and the cure is a pink slip for he and the Man of many chins....

Posted by Mike Joyce, Bangkok, Thailand on 03/07 at 05:25 AM

Thanks to the sloppy defense by Boyle and Ranger, the Bolts were put in a hole. If these guys had any clue how to play a 2 on 1 break, they wouldn’t hang the goalie (either Holmer or Smith) out to dry. Thank goodness Torts broke them up to put more defensively responsible people on their shift.

Another missed game by Vinny. If he won’t buy a ticket, maybe Torts should bench him till he decides whether he wants to play hockey, or simply collect a paycheck.

Posted by Mike Moulton, Gainesville on 03/07 at 04:48 AM

Who cares about Brad’s vision? He has an enormous salary, and even though he is a really good player, he has never had 30 goals or 100 points in a single year. Compare him to Steve Yzerman for example who had several 50 goal seasons and once had 155 points (this form Hockey News article yesterday). Suddenly, Brad doesn’t look so fantastic. Michel is with the Lightning, Brad is not. Let’s be glad that Michel is scoring, and pat him on the back and not scratch our heads and wonder why he couldn’t make Brad look as good as everyone seems to imagine he was.

Posted by Ruthe Rob ertson, St Petersburg on 03/07 at 12:22 AM

One more thought: Watched the Bret Favre press conference today and the thought crossed my mind what if he had played hockey instead of football? Would that not have been something to watch? Of course, he would have refused to come off the ice when there was a line change. One can only imagine!

Posted by Jim Gaddis, Grifton, NC on 03/06 at 11:25 PM

How many times this year have the Lightning 1) lost on a goal in the last 5 regulation minutes of the game, and 2) blown a third period lead? It seems like the first case must be at least 10 or more times. The second case hasn’t happened lately because there have been no third period leads.

Posted by Ruthe Robertson, St Petersburg on 03/06 at 11:00 PM

I simply can’t watch anymore. All the heart and passion has gone from this team. Smith must be thinking there has been a terrible mistake. Being a backup in Dallas is better than being a starter for this pathetic bunch. How long can he play his heart out only to see the defense on this team make moronic, stupid decisions. Once again, no Marty and Vinny showing up, no wins!

Posted by Teresa P., Bolts country on 03/06 at 10:50 PM

Maybe the pressure of trying to elevate Brad Richards’ game was too much for Ouellet.

Posted by Mike Joyce, Bangkok, Thailand on 03/06 at 07:13 PM

Let’s hope that Vinny decides to play tonight, instead of floating around like a butterfly. The so called “first line” needs to act like premier players. For some time now, they have been overshadowed by the third and fourth lines and, with the coming of Halpern, the second line is overshadowing the “first line”. If Vinny wants to be an observer, he should buy a ticket and sit in the stands with the other observers.

Posted by Mark Valentine, Bradenton FL on 03/06 at 04:07 PM

Sit Shane! Sit Shane! Sit Shane! How does Picard not even crack the Flyers big team and suddenly now he’s a top 4 d-man for us? What does that say about the state of our D !