Regular season schedule no easy road to redemption

A trek through Prague (left: isn't it pretty?) is just the beginning - literally - of a compelling Lightning 2008-09 regular season schedule. The slate, as released on Thursday, is lighter on divisional play, heavier on league-wide balance and extremes. There’s five straight games at the St. Pete Times Forum to begin the season after Oct. 4 and 5 games against the Rangers at O2 Arena, two against Southeast Divisions foes in the Hurricanes (Oct. 11) and Thrashers (Oct. 21).

The schedule includes two four-, two five- and a six-game homestand, but two grueling West Coast swings will result as the team plays the entire Western Conference at least once with home-and-homes against the Avalanche, Sharks and Wild. Following a Jan. 4 game at Atlanta, the Lightning embarks on a six-day cross country trip to play Phoenix (Jan. 8), Anahaim (Jan. 9), Los Angeles (Jan. 12) and San Jose (Jan. 13), before returning to face the Flyers in the Forum on Jan. 15. Teams will play divisional opponents just six times each this season, down from eight last year.

If there is to be a playoff push after finishing last season with the league’s worst record, it will done under tough circumstances. After a four-game stand ending March 24 against the Blue Jackets, the Lightning will play six of its last nine on the road. Just three of those last nine will come against division foes. In its last two home games of the season, the rebuilt defense will face last season’s top two scorers: Pittsburgh’s Evgeni Malkin (47 goals, 106 points), a presumably healthy Sidney Crosby and Washington’s Hart Trophy-winner, Alex Ovechkin (league-leading 65 goals, 112 points).

Brad Richards returns to the Forum Jan. 19.

Comments

[Ross in Zephyrhills]

The number 91 should be reserved for players who are worth a darn.

[Ian in Tampa]

Ross. You too forget about how 91 was there when you were celebrating the Stanley Cup. without him no Cup? But not worth a darn? Why so bitter Ross? You having a rough life?

[Ross in Zephyrhills]

Calm down Ian - go follow dear Bradley off to Dallas. This business is all about "what have you done for me lately?" and Bradley seriously flopped the last few years. His Conn-Smythe run will never be forgotten, but it was a horrible idea to hand that contract to an offensive underachiever/soft playmaker. I guess I was bitter about that, but not any longer :) I think we've got someone in Stamkos though who's actually worthy of wearing the number of a Russian legend.

[Ian in Tampa]

I am calm Ross. I think after 6 years of getting better point production every year, you can have on off year. Then again Darche, Hlavac, Ward, Perrin, Afanasenkov, Ouellete and the other 10 players he played with all are capable of playing with a high paid player. Funny how the new owners don't want any of them. I will follow him to Dallas where at least they would not keep one line together for 5 months even though in last place??? But Vinny is happy so the rest of us should be too!!!

[JoeG]

Brad who? That name sounds familiar some how...

[Don in St. Pete]

Richy wore #19 in Tampa, and Stamkos will likely wear #91. We're over all that now and our turning the corner on a new season, with a new team and new hopes. Go Bolts!

[léo]

Good golly, Ross.
You've known Stamkos for barely 2 weeks, never saw him on ice, and you've already got him booked over Brad Richards.
Let's take it easy. Let the kid get his other foot into the Forum, let him put on his dang skates, let him try on his helmet, let him get a feel for the ice...
And THEN, if you must, compare him to Richards.
Geez, puttin the barrel before the cart over here, a little bit, I think.
P.

[keith]

I for one will be happy to see Ritchie skate once more in SPTF. He did have a poor showing in his last seasons with the Bolts but his legacy of a good player who won the Conn Smythe in 2004, the most play-off GWG in a series and a good guy who took full advantage of an owner who irresponsibly threw the check book at him,(was he supposed to say "Oh No Mr Feaster, thats too much money") is how I will remember his contribution. Vinny has been rightly lauded and praised for his charitable community efforts. While not the same $ as Vinny, Ritchie contributed in many ways to the cancer afflicted kids in the Tampa area with Ritchie's Rascals. Have a great season Ritchie....in Dallas.

[Chris]

Keith.
Love your comments. But Remember Vinny has not donated 1 cent of his money into anything. Brad did everything with his own money to help kids. If you wanna bring up money that will never be the same. Brad also spent time with the kids and stareted all of the ideas for giving back. Vinny followed but is GATHERING money from other people in Tampa for his 3 million PLEDGE. Talk to the real families and you will know. Just a thought for you all. Please never bring up money. Always easy to say i donated or I am raising but until you live and spend time with the kids it will never matter.

[keith]

Chris,I have personally been involved with troubled kids on a volunteer basis for many years. In that time I have come to understand the relationship between those that donate money and those that give up their time. It may seem more noble and admirable to give up precious time but truly there is a symbiotic relationship that is crucial to any cause for it to be effective. Without the money, the time donors would not have the resources.
It comes down to a basic tenet....do what you can, for who you can with what you have. There are certainly more dollar and time givers needed everywhere. I think Brad and Vinny are equally to be admired and respected for creating awareness, if nothing else.