Malone hurt

As if the  Capitals weren't enough for the Lightning to worry about, and three first-period goals right now seems way too much to overcome, Tampa Bay lost left wing Ryan Malone in the first period to  a lower-body injury. He will not return. No other word on the injury. Malone played just 2:26 of the first period on three shifts before leaving.

Comments

[harvey]

The style is clear however those who recognize it need to leave it alone. Name changes happen for a reason. With all due respect to everyone who notices something like that, recognize it, understand it, and leave it alone.

Carry on............

[coach bill]

Good post Jimmymac, but it's a reiteration of what many of us have said for months. The D can't hold the line without wings who hustle back and pick up their assigned wingman. I'm pretty sure we have the speed. We don't seem to have the motivation( will). That's a leadership problem. PS - if you ARE ajax, post under your "old" name. I think they've arrested the imposter.

[Mike13]

I was a big supporter of giving Vinny the Captaincy, but it is pretty clear that he still needs to develop some of those skills. Vinny needs to learn to lead in the locker room. His on-ice stuff will work itself out.

[McGz]

Anyone ever notice there's never even a quote from Vinny in the articles? If you're the captain, your responsibilities should be two-fold, lead on the ice with performance and effort, and in the locker room, vocally. V$ doesn't seem to be doing either lately.

[Adam]

Mary, your head is in the clouds. Just because he may or may not be 100% doesn't mean he's excused from giving 100% There are ways to inspire the team and ways to lead without being vocal. He needs to lead by example. Nothing is more inspiring than a player giving 110% if he's not 100% healthy. If...and that's a big if.

[mary]

Vinny is not a vocal person, everybody knew that when they gave him the C, why do people expect him to be something that he's not. He needs to show more effort like everybody else.

We don't know if he's a 100 %, give him at least more time to get into game shape before we start to calling for his head.

[Boltflasher]

..and Vrbata to Vinny's 3rd line so we have the OVERPAID line instead of the MVP line...

[Boltflasher]

Perhaps, move Arty and STL to Stamkos line and make them #1, Jokinen and Recchi plus Prospal makes #2, and send Vinny to 3rd line. He wants more minutes?....earn them..

[adam]

This lack of passion and effort seems to be exactly the way last year's team played. They are waiting around to get the pretty pass or the breakaway and not working in the corners or hitting anybody. Same team as last year! There's only a few guys left from last year.....so what does that say?? I don't hear of V4 being vocal or taking charge. You see Ovechkin flying all over the place...not V4. Skill will win you a nice trohpy at the skills contest for the all-star game...but not a division title or a cup. V4 needs to toughen up and inspiring the team. That is what a captain is for.

If there were something wrong with the 10 million dollar man, he would never be cleared to dress Mary.

[mary]

So now everything that's happening on the team is Vinny's fault?? He probably shouldn't even be playing right now, but he is, why? because he is the leader of the team, and Im sure the guys in the locker room appreciate him more that some of the fans here do.

The whole team played awful last night, but it's only Vinny's fault of course. All the guys on the team are old enough to know they have to play hard, why do they need a babysitter, or a motivational speaker to get them going? if they need that, then they're in the wrong profession.

[PD]

Mike S, actually quite a few thought making Vinny the C was a very bad idea. I know cuz I was one of them as well as Boltflasher and Don to name just two others of many.
The thing with Vinny is that he is lazy, that's what Torts had to deal with and he did over time.It was a constant battle and V4 was very petulant about it.

That's also why Dudley wanted to dump him.

Now it seems,with the contract and lite weight Melrose, V4 is reverting to his old ways. You can't float at the blue line calling for a breakaway pass and call yourself the team leader.
He had 1 shot last night and played no D.

Marty would have been the much better choice,(6 shots), IMHO he leads by example at both ends.

To your second point, totally agree because this ownership group deserves no respect. Guess the Caps didn't get Barrie's email about the Bolts reclaiming the SE title.
Time for him to go back in the room and draw up some more plays, these ones aren't working so hot.

[ben bolt fan]

I do not think V4 deserves the C until he displays some desire to play hard every shift. On radio after the firtst one of the assistant coaches was quoted saying, " some players were being lazy in the neutral zone." Now I do not know which of the three goals aloud in the first he was tallking about, but I wonder it was about the MVP line which was broken up after that period.
Krichek is not a physicall person and he is afraid of the body. Minus three for the game. Great job!!
He is a preaty boy skater and he will not use his size to smash people along the boards. I thought we got rid of Kuba!!
It is the same comments every game win or lose about the lake of hard work. Maybe this, so called "coach" over shifts and does not alow any line to get into a flow on the ice.

[Spooky]

Bring in a coach that understands modern hockey. I am thinking Teddy Nolan- a motivator of fading greats and a mentor to youth- would be a great choice.

Keep Mullet in, and he'll be getting McSorley out of retirement to enhance a physical presence.

Who knows, maybe the new admin will keep selling off our talent and bring back Khabibulin. Do you trust them to realize that our one strength at this point is Smitty? I sure do not.

At least under Tortoise, the Bolts were in shape. Now, they look tired- and old (wonder where the old came from?)

[Larry David]

WAKE UP !

The Bolts now have 4 former Washington players on the roster.
They ALL suck, no need trying to rationalize this, they ALL suck.

Halpern is a perennial loser and the rest are professional losers, unbelievable acquisition of losers by Lawton, he's been played by someone.

I always liked Melrose but guess what Barry ? The game has passed you by.
Either catch up quickly or QUIT, just stop wasting time, especially players in their prime and players at the end.

[PD]

Jimmy Mac is Ajax in a cheap suit.

"We went from an A to a B to a C to a F since the cup and the team was getting worse."

Heh MacJimmy you might want to track the the team payroll vs your brilliant graph.

You might find it to be a perfect match

[Mike S.]

Wow... what a game! Although in the present day it doesn't really matter... but last years team at least looked half-decent when it lost.

Gotta think there'll be a coaching change or things will continue to spiral out of control.

As for V4 and the "C" I remember when he had gotten it and there were few (if any) nay sayers at the time. Some of you will probably turn on your own mothers too. Maybe he shouldn't have gotten the C, but to take it away from him may be more harmful than him keeping it. Personally, I think V4 leads better by his on-ice performance.

It's my humble opinion that not only do the player have no faith in or respect for their coach, but in the owners/management.

Pretty soon it'll be like the old days, they won't be able to give tickets away... and THAT is a sorry state of affairs.

I love the Lightning, but it's really difficult to watch them lose the way they're losing.

So Kolzig admitted he started getting anxious about this game in fricken JULY, by puck drop he was a total nervous wreck and laid a 3-0 egg in the first, and that was the hole they couldn't dig out of. I saw energy and commitment after that, just not enough. I'd have rescued him out of there after 3 were I the coach, but who cares. Melrose knows his players better than anyone does (except everyone on this site). Give it time. Did you really think worst to first in one season was going to happen just because of the Rays? Strip the C off Vinny again! Dump him! Dump the coaches! Move the club out of town! Any team of all entirely new players should jell instantly! Come on.

Good thing we have four nice bridges in this area to choose from.

[JimmyMac]

Melrose. He still thinks he is on TV and surely loves the press attention. But, let's not forget dearly departed Coach John. No one wanted to play for Coach John anymore. Not here and pretty obvious, not anywhere. You all forget that minor league coaches and assistants with no head coaching on their resume, were selected ahead of Coach John. And I believe there have been 8 coaching changes since that day. Mr. Hot Head is not the coach some of you living in the past think he is. We went from an A to a B to a C to a F since the cup and the team was getting worse. And for those who suggest Feaster was a better GM. No comment. Doesn't deserve a comment. With Feaster signing checks we would have 2 of the top 4 paid players in the world and also the 5th highest paid Defensive player in the world. 24+ million signed for 3 players in a small market team. Negotiations and saavy were not strengths to one Jay Feaster. This is a franchise in transition. Owners get an A for effort but have made some mistakes for sure. Past owners got F for effort and F for decisions. 10 new faces gang. You must give it some time. You must. One thing I know for sure, that some of you have commented on, at LeCavalier's age, his contract in year 2013(or before) will make everyone want Richards back (scarry thought) You look at some of the highest paid players in the game. Richards, Drury, Gomez, Marleau, Elias, Briere etc. None of those guys are superstars, yet we were going to have 3 of them on little ole Tampa Bay. As we have seen now for 3+ years, it is the rare superstar that can single handedly carry a team to be very good, the rest of the hockey world needs a balanced roster. Niether Vinny, Brad or Danny fall under that catagory. Give it time, with Mike Smith we will have a shot going forward. The hockey balance is a very fragile thing. Don't give up hope. The biggest thing I see to change, to fine tune is the space on the ice. Way to much space between forwards and defensemen. All 5 together back and forth. Way to often I see a huge gap between the forwards and the Defensemen 40-50 feet away from them. Up together and back together. I think the Defense is in retreat way to soon out of safety, and it leaves them on their own to often. I was watching a St. Louis game the other night and the announcer says, "We talked about it the other night, how when the Defense holds the blue line, the transition game is so much better and it is so entwined with good hockey. Barry needs to get his ESPN telestrator and bring it to practice.

"Where is the pride? Where is the desire? Where is the smart hockey play? Where is the toughness? Where is the willfulness?"

Its doing commentary on TSN

[coach bill]

Don- I too was "harpooned" when I questioned V4 as captain. I agreed he led by example but was concerned that he was too shy and quiet( that IS his persona) to be an effective vocal motivator,which is an important part of wearing a C. I think it would be too late and agree with PD that it would be a PR nightmare. Recci would have been a good choice but he was new and that move would have insulted Vinny ( and he doesn't deserve that). D- if you want to give up your seats, I'll take them-wherever they are. I'm with those who say they are fans -regardless. I said last week that the D had to hold the line better and that depended on 1) a partner that can read your move and be ready to cover and 2) most importantly, wings that backcheck and pick up their wing and help not having odd-man rushes. It appears that we didn't have the backchecks or the will to hustle back to help. We do have the speed. Leadership has to step up-both from players ( C or no C) and coaches. I need tics for Thursday, D. Maybe Flasher will come with me. Go Bolts!

"One issue I do take offense with is all of these so called special deals for reduced tickets to help fill the seats. I am all for bringing in more fans to the currently empty forum, but lets not forgot those of us who made the commitment for full price season"

They have done this for years,why would they change Now?

Vinny4 has 2 problems,to much money and to many years.

The C is not something he can handle,it is not in his nature to get after people.

[Steve]

Thoughts on this game...
1. Lecavalier still isn't 100%, that is clear, but he should be skating harder.
2. Eminger didn't have a great game, but at least he played hard and physical, more than you can say for most others, I don't miss Carle or the extra $2 million he was making at all.
3. Kolzig wasn't good, but I think needed to play that game to get over the emotion of being on a new team. Smith should start next game for sure.
4. Why can this team not come out of the gate hard? I think we need to add a spark type of player, like Downie or a real enforcer, to help kick start this team.
5. This game was somewhat of a measuring stick, and we don't measure up to the Caps at this point, obviously.

[shock therapy]

I havent weighed in here in a while, and there are so many personal beliefs that we all have shared trying to analyze why we are not clicking as a team - old guys, young guys, new guys, incompetent guys, etc..... and all this with near as good of goaltending as we could ask for, and certainly better then we ever expected.

So, you ask what my take on this is (or maybe you didnt ask but you will get it anyways), I believe it is a loyal team playing for a coach.

Fact is, we have decent guys who can certainly learn how to play together and gel no matter how many times they change linemates. They are pros. I think that to be viewed as good team players, they are all complying as best they can with the Melrose et al style so they do not look like rebels or outspoken anti team players. We see how fast Melrose et al are pulling the trigger on line changes, playing time, healthy scratching, and even trading guys who dont make a single play, so I think in a much different, and i might add untrustworthy way, Melrose et al have added a level of fear into the players that prevents them from speaking their mind. At least you knew when Torts was pissed at you, and it was clear what you had to do. Now, it is all a guessing game for everyone.

My suggestion, let the players have a team meeting led by the captains, let them propose linemates, and who plays on pp and pk, who plays goal, etc......try it and see how they do. empower the players, at this point it cant be worse than the current methods of bait and switch every period.

As a season ticket holder, I agree with all of the previous comments. I go to watch hockey, win or lose. However at this point in the economy, I could have spent my money better because I am not watching good hockey or coaching. In fact, I find more enjoyment lately listening to chief tell it like it is, only problem there is more games have not been televised this year thus far than the entire last season!

One issue I do take offense with is all of these so called special deals for reduced tickets to help fill the seats. I am all for bringing in more fans to the currently empty forum, but lets not forgot those of us who made the commitment for full price season tickets. Perhaps keep the specials occasionally, and then hold a special event that wasnt pre-planned to date for season ticket holders? would be a nice gesture to recognize those of us who have been loyal through all of the transition, uncertainty, and pain!

Go Bolts!

[The Voice of the Turtle]

The two Vinnys were on the ice for over 43 minutes and tallied 2 shots on goal of the 36 shots taken by the Bolts, 1 each. Both players had a good deal of PP ice time. Poor line changes accounted for 3 of the Caps goals. The Lightning...again... did not seem mentally prepared to play in this game.

There is a problem with this team - this can no longer be denied and it must be addressed. Where is the pride? Where is the desire? Where is the smart hockey play? Where is the toughness? Where is the willfulness?

Meanwhile, Voros created another incident in New York last night. Certainly Tom Renney will ask that Steve Staios be suspended for lifting a finger against his angel. At least this time the Ranger homer announcers did not level an indictment against the opposing player as they are generally wont to do.

But back the the Lightning...that's 5 wins in 14 games folks, and ALL of the other 29 NHL teams have scored more goals than Tampa Bay. So, is there a problem??? Oh, yes indeed there is!

[Max Hunter]

I'd also like to add, I don't think Kolzig should play against the caps again - they know him too well. They were definitely shooting at his weak points - Top shelf right.

[Justin]

Ok whats with these Polls!
Seriously! The last poll on this site was whether Stamkos should be in Junior for another league.

The next poll 2 weeks later is:
"Out in the cold
Which Lightning player most deserved to be on the All-Star ballot?
G Mike Smith
F Steven Stamkos
D Paul Ranger
F Vinny Prospal
F Ryan Malone
"
Well NONE Of em. But come on..
Poll Maker now thinks Stamkos should be on the All Star Ballot and 2 weeks ago Junior? Thanks for perpetuating the stereotype that Tampa fans know Jack about hockey..

[Puck68]

Ugh. Confusion and frustration will beat skill and desire every time. This team is a collective head case. After the goal in the second, they skated for 6 mins like a different team. The skill is there. The desire is there. They just don't have a clue.

Watch the plays that start behind our net. Nobody seems to want to carry the puck up. Our second pass out of our zone is usually a cross-ice prayer, or a weak dump-in (to avoid icing) so we can get a line change and the cycle starts again.

We have the Khabby-like goalie in Smith and skill and speed up front, so let's tilt the ice toward the opponent's end and go pedal-to-the-metal. Start flying again. Safe is death, and all that. Our forwards won't need to get back as much if we're taking 40+ shots a game.

V4, it's time to get mad. At yourself and anyone else who seems to be just collecting a paycheck. Throw something in the locker room. Yell. Display passion. Call Yzerman and ask how he did it. It's widely known that if you came off the ice after a half-hearted shift, Messier would glare at you from down the bench with a look that said more than any coach's rant.

We've got to make some dramatic tactical changes, otherwise it's the definition of insanity. Coach, decide on a clear strategy of who and how we move the puck -- one that's suited to the players we already have (fast, skilled), and bench anyone who doesn't get with the program.

Go Bolts!

[JimmyMac]

Does a "C' make a difference in how you play? It shouldn't and with someone who has been through the wars, it doesn't with Vinnie. I think Vinnie is not in game shape. I think he mentally is favoring his shoulder. Laugh all you want, he is not the same player. He use to look for contact and create plays off that contact. He is very tenative night after night. Something is amiss here with this group. Feaster and Tortorella use to use the ultimatum routine, and it never worked. Ditto for the present gang. Let's face it, they need ultimum effort to reach middling results. One thing I think the gang will realize though. Smith needs to play 65 games. There is a world of difference between Olie and Smitty and we can't have the drop off to make this work. Olie had a clear look at probably three of the goals and wasn't close. Need more trades. This is a team in progress and I do think they have a plan. I would bet anything Vrbata is gone by Xmas. Two things Melrose has to do. He has to play Stamkos more. The NHL is all about skating and he needs the opportunity, though part of it is Stamkos's fault. He tends to dump the puck to often and to soon. Skate son!!! The other thing, I believe is a killer. Melrose and his constant bantering to the press will kill this team. Shut-up and keep it in the locker room.

[Steve R]

Just got home from the game and I have to say, it was bizzare seeing Olie on the wrong end of the ice. After 3-0 in the first, thought that he was in for a loonnnngggg night, but y'all did a good job in reeling us in in the 2nd and you continued the pressure in the 3rd.

What happened to Malone?

How many games before Emmy finds his way to the press box for you too?

[Boltflasher]

Yep, MSL, agree

[Boltflasher]

Well, if you're going to have 40 year olds on the team and they start turning into your best players......

[PD]

Marty

[McGz]

So who would you guys have as Captain if not Vinny?

[PD]

Well Don thats the ultimate move, the heart transplant, but seeing we don't have one, why not?

I certainly remember you adverse to putting the C on 4.

[Boltflasher]

silly...thats could, not good

[Boltflasher]

DON!!! I'd thought I would never hear say trade V4. I do think a sitdown with him is needed just like with an employee who's perfomance is lacking...

I think if Vinny IS unhappy, then yeah, like any other employee, maybe he might be happier somewhere else. I hope not....I wonder too if his shoulder is a problem because he does shy away from the hits and any sort of checking...I know players and mgt won't admit anything about injuries during the season but something is wrong,...either injury or he's just not into it...either way it doesn't look good as the "C" wearer...

Maybe, he good gracefully give up the
"C" because he's "still dealing with injury and it detracts from his captaincy"....something needs to happen..

[Don in St. Pete]

Flasher, We will have to agree to diagree on this one. Every point is Vital and we will need Olie again before the season's over. If you taped the game then watch the earl CrAPS goal sequences again. They weren't a 3 on 1 or 3 on 2 they were a 4 on 2 and a 5 on 2, the defense got NO, I mean ZERO help on the backcheck from the forwards. Gratton was floating through the middle on the 1st goal, I love him, but he has to pick up Poti, that's his job. On the next goal forget it, MSL and V20 were caught in deep and I think V4 thought it was the morning skate. Gren skated right by him to recieve the drop pass and the goal. As much as it pains me to say it, PD may be right. V4 doesn't seem happy here yet the sHABS need a first line power center. I knew the risks associated with making V4 captain before it ever happened and was harpooned by Leo amongst others. I say you send V4 and Lundin to the sHABS for Komisarek, Higgins, Pleckanec and their 09 #1. You never know they might bite since they're in their centennial, and V4 has proven he can kick it up a notch.
When we outplay an opponent and lose is one thing but when your best players are a 40YO and a 42YO then we neeed to worry. I guess the keys to the country club run deeper than I thought.

[PD]

Can't see it immediately Flash.
If things don't get a whole lot better soon, it will be Melrose out 1st.

Taking off the C would be a PR nightmare that they could't handle.

Your are right it was a terrible choice in the 1st place though.

[Boltflasher]

OK, so how would one go about moving the "C" without embarrasing Vinny over it (again, I might add)....naming an "honorary" captain in addition to Vinny?

[Boltflasher]

sorry, not trash, the stinkin' panths

[mike p]

I think it is early enough in the season where the team can take a good look in the mirror, see that they are not playing as hard as they should, and get things into order. This HAS to start with the C though. The task of getting the lightning motivated, yes it is partly Melrose's job, but really it comes down to Vinny. This team need V4 to step up BIG TIME, not only on the ice, but in the locker room as well. If he cannot do that, the future of the lightning looks grim.

[PD]

Absolutly need those two points vs the Turds

[Boltflasher]

Don, agree, somewhat agree and disagree,...I agree that Eminger played well after that bad start and yes, he laid out Brashear with a hard check, so he IS a lot more physical than some of the guys we've had out there this year.

Somewhat agree that Kolzig could have played better but he was facing 3 on 1 or 3 on 2 breaks on almost all those goals with 3 goals on poor line changes by Bolts (what's up with the poor line changes anyway? don't even see that in AHL games).

Disagree that Johnson was all that great. I thought it was more the Lightning not playing well. Had they put some pressure on him earlier in the game they would have had more than 2 goals...

Also disagree that Olie should be in net vs Trash. We need that intra-division game badly so we need to go with Smitty (we don't stand much of a chance against the Wings anywho...)

[PD]

I agree Flasher and thats rather large.
If the captain gets to float..well you know.

[Boltflasher]

PD, you're right, Vinny is not leading the charge except in the Toronto game. He's not a good captain and I have stated that before this season even started. That was one of their mistakes.

[Don in St. Pete]

The 3rd goal was the only softie, Olie would probably want the first 2 back as well as he wasn't screened and had a shot at both. Malik after playing a solid game just missed the boat on the last goal. You have to know that OV is on the ice.
The MVP line was trying hard to score all night and had some chances, but I have a big problem with V4 playing almost no d at all. MSL and V20 were doing all the work in our zone while V4 floated around the blueline or aout near center ice. Goals are pretty but defense wins championships. We carried the play again in the 3rd but the difference again was Brent Johnson. Going into the game who'd have thought the CrAPS goaltending would win them the game? I thought we played a decent game, barring the dismal performance of the aformentioned. Despite being on the ice for the 1st 2 goals I thought both Eminger and Krajicek were exceptional. Whoever it was that told us that Eminger wasn't physical needs to review some tape. Lundin and Mezsaros were both solid as a rock again. I am amazed at how much better Lundin is competing in the corners this year. Although we lost the game, I take a lot of positives from this contest and move forward. We controlled the play for the last 2 periods and much of the 1st. We were missing our 2 most physical players in R2KN and Malone, but we still played a tough contest. I'm hoping they give Olie the call again against the Pansies and put Smitty out there the next night against the wings. If the majority of the player play like they did tonight then we have reason to hope.

[David]

I think it starts with the owners , handing it over to melrose, and whomever else, thinking they knew what was best, they should of kept boyle , bad karma there .just forgetting about defense was stupid, spend $$$ on defens , vrbata, was melrose wwestern conference love and arty should be playing just 5 minutes. counting on malone and a 18 yearold as the saviours,how immature.craig is a mash unit,roberts is to old, if we had a defense ,the way smitty is playing we'd win more games , but when a coach and owners forget that defense is HUGE, then it shows immature thinking,Just rememebr melrose was ready to dump jokinene and he bought in vrbata ., all flas no smarts western loving , san jose melrose.we dont need boyle we got carle DUH!!! what do you expect from our best players when there is no respect for a tv anylast /arm chair dodo.

[PD]

Eloquently stated D.

Why is V$ the elephant in the room, (with the 10 million dollar contract), that no one talks about??

anyone actually see him leading the troops up Pork Chop Hill?

THis team is painfully slow or brutally out of shape.