Posted by  Mike Joyce, Bangkok, Thailand on 02/06  at  01:24 AM

I agree about Boyle not being that great as a defenseman.  Apparently, most of the people in the know seem to agree.  He never gets elected or selected for the All Star game.  Immediately, that says that the most knowledgeable people don’t include him in the six best in the East.  Undoubtedly, there are probably four of the six in the West that are better.  That makes him not even break the top 10 in the league.

Posted by  S. Lewy, Tampa on 02/05  at  11:23 AM

A good defenseman doesn’t pinch up behind the other team’s net!  Boyle does this nearly every game.  He is a good offensive player, not defensive.  Defenseman are supposed to be the layer that stops the shots being taken and help the goalie.  I fail to see how Boyle is such a great defenseman if he is trying to make a play from behind the other team’s net.

Posted by  Senior Smith, Tampa on 02/04  at  10:06 AM

Mike and Matt, what team are you watching.....without Boyle this team is terrible but if you want Lundin and Smaby, Good Luck to you.....funny how you guys don’t point out Ranger being below the Red line on most of the 3-1’s, with Boyle the only guy back....Oh Ya he is only good at Offense! The Depth upfront and Goaltending is where this team needs help not defense...the 6 d-men they have today are better than the ones they had for the cup! A solid goalie has a way of making the defense look much better....NJ=Broduer....Class is Over!

Posted by  Mike Joyce, Bangkok, Thailand on 02/03  at  04:48 PM

Matt, no need to bash Boyle any further.  Even you are seeing what I’ve been saying about his defense - but he did get an assist on offense.  There must be a reason Boyle doesn’t get elected or selected for any all star games, and you already commented on that.

Most of the excitement seems to be coming from the “other” lines these days.

Posted by  Matt, tampa on 02/03  at  10:35 AM

Yea Mike, I think 26 shots generated by the top line is dam good.( I think they missed about 10 as well) Some nights the puck doesn’t want to find the back of the net. But Where is the Boyle bashing. He, along with the bum they call Luke, cost us the game. Not the big 3, not the young D, not the goalie(he didnt help), nope the 2 vetern D-men. Bye bye Boyle, you and the 7 million you are going to ask for can go screw up anther teams defense.

Posted by  Ruthe Robertson, St Petersburg on 02/03  at  08:48 AM

Their season is over with that pathetic effort in the last three minutes of the game. Not even enough effort to get to overtime for at least a point and with Carolina losing, they blew an opportunity to gain ground. Torts can switch lines as often as he likes but it’s not going to help, this team only decides to play like they should every five or six games. If only they played with the enthusiasm of Ovechkin!

Posted by  troy Branham, bradenton, FL on 02/03  at  02:24 AM

To: St. Pete Times Forum,

Please take down the 2004 Lightning Stanley Cup Champion light post banners around the arena. It was so...2006.

Thank you.

Posted by  Randall Buschmann, Panama City Beach, Florida on 02/03  at  01:59 AM

I hate to say it but tonight the Lightning may have cost themselves the playoffs. I know its one game right, but it was a 4 point game against a divison rival. We’re in dead last in the Eastern Conference and guys like Prospal, Boyle and Gratton are probably on their way out in the coming weeks. I sure hope we can get the number one pick, I’d love to see Stamkos as a Bolt.

Posted by  Mike Joyce, Bangkok, Thailand on 02/02  at  11:45 PM

Hey EE, you noticed that the Bolts are predictable, if nothing else.  When the season is on the line, and they have to win in the division, they decide to fold their tent and go home.

It sure was a mark of genius to put Richards on Vinny’s line.  Now, Vinny’s line is mediocre and the second and third lines are scoring.

If these guys don’t care, why should we, other than that they are receiving the money and we are stupid enough to pay the money.

Posted by  vince, tampa on 02/02  at  06:48 PM

darn no jason ward tonight,he is about as productive as havlac..

Posted by  Mike Joyce, Bangkok, Thailand on 02/02  at  04:49 PM

We’ll know very quickly if the team shows up or not.  If they play a very high tempo and physical game, they can beat the Panthers.  If they all compete for the Lady Byng trophy, they will lose again.

Hockey is an all out, emotional and physical game.  If you don’t play that way, then you should take up tiddlywinks.