O'Brien scratched, Lundin in

The only personnel change from Saturday's opener is the benching of defenseman Shane O'Brien in favor of Mike Lundin. O'Brien really struggled, obviously, during Saturday's game and was out of position on Markus Naslund's goal. Coach Barry Melrose defended O'Brien to a degree saying he was being "picked on" a little too much, and that goalie Mike Smith should have stopped Naslund's shot, which might be a fair point.

At the same time, O'Brien sits, and a coach doesn't do that (in the second game, mind you,) if he isn't unhappy with what he saw.

"There were a couple of mistakes made before that puck went in," Melrose said. "I think everyone is picking on O'Brien a little bit too much. That was an angle shot, and Smitty, an NHL goalie will make that stop 99 times out of 100. But O'Brien we would like him to be more physical, not run around as much and, hopefully, watching a game will be good for him."

Melrose said that was the only change.

Comments

[Mike S.]

Yep... ol' mullet brain is still in analyst mode.

[Geografer]

That is actaully a great idea - at least Smitty knows how to pass the puck out and probably can carry it out for us too!

3 minutes left and the shots are 33-9. this is nuts.

[shock therapy]

If olie plays this well, perhaps we can take advantage of Smitty's stick and skate him out on D!

[Geografer]

10 minutes in and the Rangers already have another 10 shots on goal while we have 2 (just barely) . Outshot 10-2 already. How much can you expect your your goalies to take???

[Tampa Wine Guy]

Eesh...8:00 into the second, and they look worse.

[Herb]

Out-shot 15-3 in the first period...is this a pattern?? This team is not good at this time.

[Kincaid]

1st priod shots 15-3 that should make the total against the Rangers this year, incl presseason, about 150-52

Rangers are a much much faster team.
Go Olie

[tampa Wine Guy]

I must say, I remember why I hated playing the Caps. Olie the goalie still has it. I know it's early, but goaltending seems to be the least of our worries this year.

Can't wait 'til Saturday!

LET'S GO LIGHTNING!

[Geografer]

When you don't have d-men who know how to carry a puck out the zone all you are going to see is them making a pass up the boards - just like they did yesterday. Hopefully after this game maybe managements eyes will open and they will see the need for some D.

[mike p]

let's get the 2nd line on the ice a bit more boys!! if you are worried about protecting stamkos, put him in the AHL a year so he can learn to defend himself up to your standard melrose, otherwise GET HIM OUT THERE! it's no use for us to have the #1 draft pick playing 8 min/game. I'd rather him play 20+ min in the AHL for a year if that's going to be the case!

[Tampa Wine Guy]

Amazing, it's 1-0 Lightning. They just don't seem to be at the same speed as the rangers. Can't seem maintain control of the puck in their zone. I've noticed a little more dump and chase in the first period. Already giving up on the puck control aspect?

[shock therapy]

wow - tough to watch - i sure hope the home games are more stimulating!

I am not going to defend OB, but I must say that he makes things happen on the ice and doesnt back down to others. Who is on D now? Carle? Heward? (so much for building chemistry in pre-season.

BTW - look at the minutes from last game - Stamkos was very limited, and some that played many minutes really blew my mind. I am not really sure melrose or any of the other coaches are truly paying attention to ice time - it seems so scattered when it comes to common sense! In close games especially, wouldn't you want playmakers out there who can make things happen?

I am still unsure about R2-kin. I watch him skate, and he doesnt look like he works hard, but I'll be darned how he ends up in the right spot and so far this year has a few breakaways and he finishes most of them. So he is making things happen at least. But if we are forward heavy we better start shooting and scoring.

Who would have ever thought our goaltending is solid up to this point, our 50 forwards aren't getting shorts, and our D got younger?

You gotta love it - can't wait til the home opener!

[Don in St. Pete]

Still not winning many battles for the puck. Olie has been solid. Textbook play by Adam Hall, I hope some of the guys are watching. R2kn and Vrbata have been flying. Hope we can spring these guys next period.

[Geografer]

So is he also protecting Malone from Orr too? He actually has the least amount of ice time 2:31 while Stamkos is at 2:50. Stamkos has had 3 shifts - one of which was for only 4 seconds! Based on playing time the Malone Stamkos Vrbata line is playing 4th line minutes and there really isn't the excuse of penalties - at least so far.

[Kincaid]

Mike I think Melrose was protecting him from Orr who would relish a shot at him.

[mike p]

ok so, there's under 3 min left in the first period, the lightning are getting outshot 14-2 and stamkos has the least amount of playing time of anyone on the team...does melrose enjoy losing?

[Patrick]

And in the second game in Prague, NO DAVID KOCI.

This team is becoming a joke. And by no means would I ever throw Lundin out there over OB. Melrose, ESPN is calling you....

[shock therapy]

And we got what for Dan Boyle? My god, now I am starting to miss Lukowich even! If nothing else his band was pretty good!

[Bill]

Bolts better b ewatching all the D-men being released as they NEED help,OB looked like he should be in ECHL! Flyers just let Berard go and they said he should have made the team but was not under contract and got caught in that game of signed and not signed. Only first game gone,but they better
pick up the pace or it will be a LONG season AGAIN. GO BOLTS AND SHOOT the puck TODAY!!!

[Herb]

Maybe Torts wasn't an idiot after all for benching OB huh? I'll say it....I told you so! Don't get me wrong, Torts lost the team but I said it all along that OB SUCKS!!