Thursday's lineup vs. Rangers

It took a while but the team finally posted a lineup for tonight's game at Madison Square Garden. Karri Ramo is expected to start in goal and play the entire game. Some cuts may be announced after the game, though it was unclear how many. Likely a big game for players such as Michel Ouellet, Brandon Bochenski, David Koci, Zenon Konopka, Matt Smaby and Andrew Hutchinson :

Goaltenders: Karri Ramo, Olaf Kolzig. Forwards: Evgeny Artyukhin, David Koci, Marty St. Louis, Radim Vrbata, Steven Stamkos, Michel Ouellet, Mark Recchi, Brandon Bochenski, Ryan Malone, Jussi Jokinen, Chris Gratton, Zenon Konopka. Defensemen: Andrew Hutchinson, Matt Carle, Andrej Meszaros, Matt Smaby, Janne Niskala, Shane O'Brien.

Comments

[Bill Berg]

The BOLTS D-Men better get their act together! OB and Caryle have been VERY loose on the D. Most of the whole Team seems somewhat out of shape, very slow at getting back amd being out of position to stop any rushes. Being outshot EVERY game will not get it!!
Work hard in Europe and be READY for Opening weekend Ranger games, come home with 2 WINS!!!

[Twinebulge]

"Well it's gonna be another long losing season with the way this team is playing this pre-season."

Easy, Chicken Little. It's four days after conception, and you're predicting an ugly baby who grows up to be a loser still living with his parents at 35. Pssssst! We haven't even seen the final big-league roster play yet, our top scoring star and one of our top two Dmen are still out, and the highly productive Jeff Halpern as well. Yet the guys have been able, under the leadership of someone they apparently respect and with a bit of NHL-level goaltending for a change, to compile a record of three wins, and one loss--by a single goal.

Yeah, we're blown out of the water already, 30th place here we come. Anyone want my season tix?

[Chris]

Jon Jordan is reporting Bochenski, Konopka, and Smaby have been assigned to Norfolk

[Herb]

Great points Bingo. I still wonder why Kolzig was brought aboard because I thought after the way Ramo played late last season, that he was ready for the big league. The Rangers have to be scratching their heads after letting this one get away from them. They were tenacious on the puck causing the Bolts to make errant passes all night. I hope when the real season starts that they can get it together.

[bingo]

Nice game by Ramo 47 shots only two goals and lots of sharp saves. Look out AHL and should either Smith or Kolzig go down he will be ready.

Smaby played a solid game and used his size something that this squad needs from the 'D'. Ranger can check but will be limited for the first half of the season waiting to build the confidence back before the big checks are in play.
Stamkos - who I have dubbed Stammer in my chants had another good game. Talk about starting to feel comfortable...... he broke clean of the 'D' drew the penalty and Malone stormed the net for the score...... now that brings back some memories from 04.
All around decent game..... The defence is the one concern what is that 87 shots in the last two games..... that has to start coming down or it could be a long season for the goalies. 25 - 30 a game can be healthy for a goalie 40 - 50 that's like Vinny and Marty playing 25 minutes a game.
I am liking what I see but there is a lot left to accomplish. I'm anxious to re-evaluate 20 games into the season.

Go Bolts

[Boltflasher]

Of the names mentioned above needing a big game, looks like (as I watch on MSG) only Ramo is coming up big and maybe an honorable mention to Smaby for a steady night...really good game by Ramo..Rangers with easily twice as many chances as Bolts....Lightning forwards just not taking the play to NY except for R2kin, Marty and Stamkos...

[Herb]

Well it's gonna be another long losing season with the way this team is playing this pre-season. The Rags are all over the Bolts again and it's been Ramo saving their bacon as Smith did on Tuesday. OB it as worthless as any player can be. If it were up to me, Smaby would stay and OB would be gone, gone, gone. The power play is about as lame as I have ever seen. I hope the MVP line can get it going if and when it is put together again, because that is our only hope.

[old geezer]

Who is "we"?? I want to see what Smaby has in the nhl this year. Send Mihalik for another year. And Hutchinson who? He has been less than memorable so far.

[Casper]

Again, not too concerned if we ever faced any of the guys on the bubble except for Smaby. We want very much to have him pair up with Wishart in Norfolk to make Ramo a repeat AHL All Star, then do that same thing here, later.

Much goonery from Konopka & Koci, I suspect. Swell.

Go Bolts and Bon Voyage!