Better to play angry

Before we get into this, just a note. I will not be on the road trip that goes through Minnesota, Colorado and Philly. Brant James will be with the team while I take Thanksgiving off. You are in good hands.

Anyway, did you see how much better the Lightning played when it got PO'd? The hitting, the fighting the intensity around the net gave Tampa Bay the chance not only to stay with the Rangers on Wednesday but to outplay them for a significant amount of time.

Sure, they lost, 3-2 in a shootout, But that goes into a whole other range of problems. Will Tampa Bay ever win another shootout? Both the shooters and Mike Smith have to be better. Can i prevent opponents from getting into these minutes-long, offensive-zone possessions? But those are subjects for another day. For now, it's enough to know the Lightning plays better when it plays angry.

This goes beyond the fights. That is easy. That's a byproduct of playing angry. I'm, talking about someone like Evgeny Artyukhin, who threw around his 6-foot-5, 254-pound body and got under New York's skin. Witness Colton Orr jumping Artyukhin after a clean hit on Blair Betts. Tampa Bay should have had a four-minute power play but because a bewildering call by the referees, it got only two as an innocent Artyukhin was called for roughing.

But you see what happens when you stir things up a bit.

The adrenaline gets pumping, the focus is intensified and players start doing things like getting in front of the net, setting screens, going for tip-ins, hitting  a little harder. Makes for an entertaining game. Makes for a better chance of victory.

We're not talking about fighting here, but playing gritty, going after pucks, hitting hard and getting to the net.

It is a difficult way to play. It takes will and conditioning. Perhaps it also takes a coach like Rick Tocchet, who was that kind of player in his day, to threaten his guys with a loss of playing time if they don't keep it up.

One thing is sure, the Lightning played with an edge against the Rangers. Isn't that what all players are looking for?

Comments

[ajax]

Consistency is the key to success in any venture. So far we have had great efforts followed by zeros(last year was a snapshot of that pattern) I like that Tocchet talks in we versus he or they. A little thing but doesn't embarrass anyone and shows he is a players coach. Keep the rants in the locker room and they become much more effective rants. Vinny does need to lead by example. When he checks hard it sends a message thru the whole team as well as the whole building. I have doubts about his shoulder being healthy, or his brain just not sure if the shoulder is healthy. But his feet are healthy and he needs to drive the net more. He is standing on the outside to much.

[leo]

How did the Tocchet "warning" work?
Overtime loss, what? Against the Rangers?
That ain't bad.
When's your next game against the Cappers?
That's what I wanna know. Don't think Boudreau has forgotten your preseason claims...
P.

[hyjyljyj]

Glad someone else caught that little humorous error Jim. [Although I bet to the opponents he put through the wall every night, it feels just like 2534 lbs. hitting them]

The key is neither playing angry NOR playing a system mistake-free. The key is doing BOTH, simultaneously, game in and game out. (See: Detroit Red Wings, San Jose Sharks, e.g.)

[Jim Nagle]

Wow, I knew R2kin was big, but it's astonishing how well he moves carrying 2,534 lbs around. No wonder opponents are fearful of him: a ton-and-a-quarter
coming at you at 30-plus mph. Ouch.

[Hockey Chic]

Good luck today fellas. I know the last time we played the wild it was a very exciting game.

Lets get a W on the road and start with trip off with a bang. Play with the same heart, intensity and grit that you did the other night and we can come away with a win. Keep the hits coming.

Looking forward to seeing Sully back on the bench.

Go Bolts and get er done..

[PD]

Heh Patrick right back at you/
Good luck with Vinnys inner bully.

[Patrick]

One thing the team needs to do is play angry but take less penalties. They have been taking too many penalties all year. They used to consistently be among the least penalized teams every year. Looks like we are 3rd in the times shorthanded this year. That's terrible... hard to score when you are shorthanded. That is something that would probably help the offense as well.

[Patrick]

PD is a complete @ss.

The team responds to their coach, puts out a great effort, had the better play for most of the game against the 2nd best team in the league and a team that has had their number all year and you post your negative garbage again.

If you want your negative garbage to have any credibility, wait until they actually have a bad game. Posting after one of their better efforts of the season is just delusional. You are seem to be campaigning for something... I don't know what, but you don't seem to be a fan of the lightning. This guy reminds me of the obnoxious person you see at the games standing up, facing the crowd and pointing to a hat of the visiting team when they score on the lightning.

Vinny even playing at less than 100% is still good enough to lead our team in points. No Tampa fans with any clue want him traded. This was a very promising performance that bodes well for the team - PD, you moron - not badly.

[Lightning Rod]

I have been saying for a month that they need to put Arty in front of the net on the PP play. Watching him last night get under the Rangers skin only makes my point more relevant. I also say there has to be a way to work Arty into playing in front of the net on 5 on 5. I think everyone could see that Arty had the Ranger player's attention, and they wanted no part of him. Put him in front of the net and he will distract D-men and the goalie, I'll put money on it. When Orr attacked Arty from the back, Arty just wrapped his arms around him and just body slammed him WWF style. From where I was sitting, you could see Arty on top looking Orr in the eye and telling him something. Probably what would happen the next time he tries that. It was a Hoot.

It was a great game last night. I'd say the best of the season so far. You could see the Rangers were not expecting grit from the Bolts. They got that and more, and some will be very sore today. The Bolts I saw last night out-played one of the best teams in the league for most of the game, and were equal the rest of the time even with all of the penalties they were given by the refs.

Now if this team can build on some of the good things of last night, they might be able to go some place in the standings. Another thing is that this team has come back and tied a lot of games, but lost mainly in the shoot-outs. If they had won 3 of the 7 OT losses they have 23 pts. not the 19 they have now, and tried for 9th place.

My prediction for this season is 38-30-14 or 90 pts. and 8th place.

[Herb]

Thanks Flasher and right back at 'ya

[mike p]

Yea, Lecavalier need to step up in terms of points...but do we really want him to step up the grit level? And how much? I mean, do we really need his re-injuring his shoulder and should your top player really be fighting? I'd prefer him without broken bones and/or concussions thanks.

[Marcel]

DC,

Fighting is the toughest job in hockey.
Nothing easy about the fights, that's why every player is standing and cheering when the fight happens.

Playing angry is not going to get this team anywhere.
Playing a system mistake free will yield better results than playing angry.
Just one opinion.

[Boltflasher]

Happy Thansgiving to all!!!

[Brittany]

I don't think we can really blame Vinny for everything. The guy had major shoulder surgery this summer, he clearly isn't close to 100% yet. I've noticed that every time he has a chance to hit someone, he pulls up at the last minute to avoid the hit. That tells me that his shoulder is still painful, not that he is unmotivated and doesn't care.

Also, do you really think that the only person who can lead and direct the team is the guy with the 'C' on his chest? I personally think that fans put more emphasis on the letter than the actual players do, but maybe that's just me.

And can we please get Smitty his confidence back in the shootout if we have to keep playing in them? Up until this year he was undefeated in shootouts and penalty shots (something like he went 13-0 in stopping them). Ever since that game where the two players pulled the same move and made him look silly he just lost all of his confidence. I think he just needs one big save and he will be good to go. But then again, he can stop 95% of them, but unless our forwards start to score we won't win games. Someone tell them to just shoot the puck and stop the silly little moves.

[Herb]

I guess the instigator rule doesn't apply to the Rangers I see. Good job Orr in getting away with an attack of a hockey player. I am glad to see the refs are in the game.

[Joe]

V4 is playing ok I just dont think he is 100% yet. Dont 4get he probably wasnt able to be in the shape he wanted to be in coming into the season. I look for him to hit his stride the 2nd half of the year.

If the Bolts play 4 out of every 5 games the way they played last night they will win alot of games. Not sure they can do that its gotta be proven on the ice.

What has me optimistic is we havent played many division games yet. Only 5 by my count so we hav 19 left. Those are the games that will decide this division.

Also are attendance is till better then half the teams in the league. No one shows up in New Jersey, Carolina, or Atlanta to mention a few.

Go Bolts! tough stretch coming up.

[tundo]

And about our shootout, Damien. What ever happened to racing down the ice as fast as you can, picking a corner and shooting at it? We never do that anymore. They come into the zone slow, they try to deke, and it doesn't work. Goalies are too good now, you can't come in from the circle and expect to beat them, that is just giving them a much better angle on the shooter. Come down the slow, give yourself the best opportunity to score. I just don't get it. I also don't get how St. Louis and Lecavalier aren't 1-2 every time. I understand Tocchett was trying to mix it up, but you have to put your two best scorers out there. And I would put Recchi third, he is a sharp shooter...

[tundo]

Last time I checked, Lecavalier leads the team in points. Shipping him out would be the absolute worst move for a team already struggling to keep attendance. No Vinny means no fans. Horrible idea...

[Hockey Chic]

PD good god man do you ever think anything is working with this team, the owner ship or the players.

You kill me dude. I guess everyone has to have a pessimist in the crowd and dude you are clearly it.

I agree with Puck 68 there is a clear identity to this team now and there is not one designated leader and that is good on the ice. Each line has their own leader, and the D is clearly stepping up.

I liked what I saw. Hustle, moving guys out of the crease and just when we thought it was going to be one in the L column they pulled it out.

Way to dig fellas. Not sure if it was Recci or MSL goal but it was nice to go to OT and the shoot out. I am starting to agree that it sucks especailly since it appears we cannot get a w when it goes to that point.

Maybe we need to pick it up a notch when playing OT and skip the damn shoot out.

The guys all stepped up and stammer dude who knew you could fight. Arty I am so glad you are back and malone was hitting to hit. Dude old time freakin hockey.

PD do me a favor and keep talking bad about the team and the owner ship as we appear to play better and better every night.

Happy Turkey Day to all and Go Bolts!!

ps I spilled my beer again when they tied it up. This is getting expensive. lol

[bingo]

Ah luv it PD. They play a great game and lose in the Home Run Derby. I left at the end of OT. Sorry - that is a bull crap way to play hockey. I think they should institute it in Baseball. 1 extra inning and then the fan friendly home run derby. Perfect it's the Bettman way! It's a joke like the Refs in the league.

I think that the ultimatum has been placed on the table. It is up to the coaches to follow thru on the statement. Also, the players are on notice. If they want out there is an easy path to the door.

Good game, Smitty, Arty were the standouts once again. Much like Avery and Lundquist (sp) where in past years for the Rangers.

I'm looking forward not backwards and let's see what we get on this mini road trip.

Bingo

[Marv]

Hey, leave Vinny alone. He to busy counting his money and trying to figure out where he is going with his Bentley to eat and what wine to drink. And, laugh about how he got the "C" and long term contract and now has to do almost nothing to keep it!

[Puck68]

Alright... we didn't get the win, BUT: For the first time this season, I started to see some team identity. Last night we looked like a Rick Tocchet-coached team, and that's good.

Challenging at the blue line. Outlet passes going more north-south than east-west (or backwards). Yeah, the fights were good, but not for fighting's sake, but for that grit we're all talking about. Heck, Malik almost, nearly threw a hip check! (Can you get credit for half a hit?)

V4 and MSL had their moments of beauty. Malone is clearly a leader on the team. And I believe Arty and Smith, night after night, are the best players on the ice. Please put Arty on the PP, park him 6 inches in front of the crease in front of the goalie, and watch what happens.

Explain to our forwards that it's OK to challenge the other team's puck carrier when they're in our zone even strength (we kept backing up like we were a man short).

But overall, I loved watching the game, because I saw some intensity. And it was great watching the Ranger fans stare in disbelief when we scored at the end of the 3rd.

Let the tryptophan kick in and go Bolts!

[PD]

Damian the result was a L at the peak of any supposed anger these guys can muster up.

If thats the type of hockey required, then bring in those type of players.
Lecavailier won't be leading any lunch pail blue collar effort any time soon.

Ajax glad you got your epiphany, no back end , no turkey.

This franchise is in dire straights people. Sinking like a stone in the countrys most depressed market means what it means. The barn will be emptying for owners with very shallow pockets.

A huge shakeup verging on a heart transplant is required, mostly because the team has no heart.

Ship out Lecavalier to Montreal who are equally desparate and get a couple of key building blocks and picks.

Then you have a team that will give a sht and compete.

[Jeff Odell]

Agreed. Now - will someone please piss off V4?