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GDT #61: 3/4/14 > Blues v Lightning > 7:00 PM > NBCSN/KMOX

Posted: Tue Mar 04, 2014 7:52 am
by dmiles2186
LIGHTNING (34-22-5) at BLUES (40-14-6)

TV: NBCSN, TSN2

Last 10: Tampa Bay 4-6-0; St. Louis 6-3-1

Traffic Alert: Fans are encouraged to allow extra time for travel to the game due to the Fat Tuesday parade on Washington Ave, which begins at 6:30 p.m.

Blue Notes: The Blues look forward to welcoming back their Olympians at Tuesday's game vs. Tampa Bay. Fans can view the Gold and Silver Medals, as well as Olympic jerseys, outside Section 101 at the game.

Season series: This is the second and final game between the Tampa Bay Lightning and St. Louis Blues. Alex Killorn had a goal and two assists to lead the Lightning to a 4-2 win at Tampa Bay Times Forum on Nov. 2.

Big story: The Blues play their first game at Scottrade Center since trading for goaltender Ryan Miller and forward Steve Ott. Miller won his debut with the team Sunday at the Phoenix Coyotes. The Lightning finish off a four-game road trip with the return of Steven Stamkos seemingly imminent and questions surrounding the future of Martin St. Louis.

Team Scope:

Lightning: This could be Tampa Bay's final game without Stamkos, who targeted March 6 against the Buffalo Sabres for his return from a broken leg sustained Nov. 11. But will it also be their final game with St. Louis? He's showing no signs of slowing down after becoming the oldest Art Ross Trophy winner last season, putting up 60 points in 61 games and one goal shy of his seventh 30-goal season. However, rumors continue to swirl following reports St. Louis asked for a trade back in January.

Forward Nate Thompson, who has three goals in the past two games, was adamant in his opinion the Lightning will not trade St. Louis.

"No, never," Thompson said in the Tampa Bay Times. "Marty is our captain, and he is our captain for a reason. He pushes the pace for us. He's the heart and soul of this team, and wants the best for this team."

Blues: Miller stopped 23 shots in his St. Louis debut and immediately found out how life figures to be different now that he's changed addresses. The Coyotes built a two-goal lead after 40 minutes, which might have buried Miller's former team the Buffalo Sabres, who rank 30th in the NHL in offense. The Blues are third in the League at 3.22 goals per game, and while they endured a scoreless streak of nearly 188 minutes heading into the third period Sunday, Patrik Berglund started and capped a four-goal rally in Phoenix to give Miller a 4-2 victory.

"It was exciting," Miller said. "I was anxious, nervous. I just wanted to help the boys out, give them a feel for what I'm all about. That was pretty impressive, the way the boys made adjustments, came together, had a great third period and get a big win."

Ott had two shots and three hits in 13:58 of ice time, seeing time on a line with Derek Roy and T.J. Oshie.

Who's hot: St. Louis had consecutive multi-goal games following the Olympics before he was held off the score sheet in the Lightning's 6-3 loss to the Colorado Avalanche on Sunday. … Miller won his final start for the Sabres before winning his debut with the Blues, giving up two goals in each.

Injury report: Tampa Bay forward Valtteri Filppula (ankle) could return after missing the past four games. Defenseman Radko Gudas (lower body) left the game against Colorado in the second period and is day-to-day. … St. Louis forward Vladimir Sobotka (leg) is on injured reserve but expected to start skating this week. Defenseman Jordan Leopold (ankle) is also out.

Re: GDT #61: 3/4/14 > Blues v Lightning > 7:00 PM > NBCSN/KM

Posted: Tue Mar 04, 2014 12:03 pm
by not_a_wings_fan
Blues have recalled Porter.

Trade incoming? Someone hurt we don't know about?

Re: GDT #61: 3/4/14 > Blues v Lightning > 7:00 PM > NBCSN/KM

Posted: Tue Mar 04, 2014 12:13 pm
by APOD
Blues recall Chris Porter.....who is getting traded? Lol

Re: GDT #61: 3/4/14 > Blues v Lightning > 7:00 PM > NBCSN/KM

Posted: Tue Mar 04, 2014 1:30 pm
by ibldbl
not_a_wings_fan wrote:Blues have recalled Porter.

Trade incoming? Someone hurt we don't know about?
They sent Jaskin back to Chicago.

Re: GDT #61: 3/4/14 > Blues v Lightning > 7:00 PM > NBCSN/KM

Posted: Tue Mar 04, 2014 8:42 pm
by APOD
Wow what a second period OSHIE!!!

Re: GDT #61: 3/4/14 > Blues v Lightning > 7:00 PM > NBCSN/KM

Posted: Tue Mar 04, 2014 9:11 pm
by sseagle
We should be running Bishop for the next 12 minutes for that horseshit call!

Re: GDT #61: 3/4/14 > Blues v Lightning > 7:00 PM > NBCSN/KM

Posted: Tue Mar 04, 2014 9:38 pm
by APOD
Good Comeback again Ott was a good pick up, Hedman is a pussy, Bishop threw the shoulder on Steen that was a bad call. OSHIE!!!

Miller had some really good saves and I think as soon as he is settled in he will be solid. They said today that his wife is in cali his dog is with his folks. He doesn't have his car here and has been looking at places to live plus all of the interviews and the stress of getting traded. It really does suck to get traded lots of things on your mind to try to clear and focus on the game.

Re: GDT #61: 3/4/14 > Blues v Lightning > 7:00 PM > NBCSN/KM

Posted: Tue Mar 04, 2014 9:56 pm
by sseagle
We are lucky that we traded for professional hockey players, not forum posters.

Re: GDT #61: 3/4/14 > Blues v Lightning > 7:00 PM > NBCSN/KM

Posted: Tue Mar 04, 2014 10:28 pm
by Oaklandblue
Bergy wants to stay a Blue lol. It's nice seeing him catching fire, maybe the trade really helped him more than anything else. He looks really damn good and I'm saying that because I'm one of the first people to criticize the guy, and if I'm going to do that, I'll be the first to compliment him. Really liking his overall game.

Re: GDT #61: 3/4/14 > Blues v Lightning > 7:00 PM > NBCSN/KM

Posted: Tue Mar 04, 2014 10:34 pm
by ViPeRx007
Mmmmmm, delicious wins.

KEEP IT UP BOYYYYS!

Re: GDT #61: 3/4/14 > Blues v Lightning > 7:00 PM > NBCSN/KM

Posted: Tue Mar 04, 2014 11:35 pm
by Nyghtewynd
It is a joy to watch Ryan Miller in the Bluenote. I have never in my life seen a goalie that athletic, who moves so well. It almost looks like he isn't wearing pads. And that's impressive.

Re: GDT #61: 3/4/14 > Blues v Lightning > 7:00 PM > NBCSN/KM

Posted: Tue Mar 04, 2014 11:55 pm
by ViPeRx007
Nyghtewynd wrote:It is a joy to watch Ryan Miller in the Bluenote. I have never in my life seen a goalie that athletic, who moves so well. It almost looks like he isn't wearing pads. And that's impressive.
I was watching him more closely tonight, trying to figure out what it was about him that seemed different. I thought I might just be creating things in my head because "OMG IT'S RYAN MILLER!", but no...he legitimately does "look" different back there. Your description is exactly right. He's a smooth criminal. It is the movement. He's very deliberate and precise. With some goalies it almost looks like their gear controls them; like they're bogged down a bit, but it's the opposite for Miller.

I'm fairly sure I'm not being a homer either...

Re: GDT #61: 3/4/14 > Blues v Lightning > 7:00 PM > NBCSN/KM

Posted: Wed Mar 05, 2014 12:52 am
by gaijin
It would be nice if we could stop spotting the other teams the first 2 goals of the game.

I mean, I know we're just trying to make it a fair fight, but come on... :wink:

Re: GDT #61: 3/4/14 > Blues v Lightning > 7:00 PM > NBCSN/KM

Posted: Wed Mar 05, 2014 7:47 am
by dmiles2186
We give up the first 2 goals again, 2nd game in a row. We score 4 unanswered goals again, 2nd game in a row. 2 points, 2nd game in a row.

The way Miller kept his cool after the slow starts in back to back games is impressive. He's getting used to new teammates, a new setup. Everything is different for him. So to keep his head and flash some nice leather (especially on that glove save on St. Louis in the 3rd) was great to see.

Oshie's goal was probably the goal of the year at this point.

Another 3 game road trip coming up. Keep the win train rolling, boys.

Re: GDT #61: 3/4/14 > Blues v Lightning > 7:00 PM > NBCSN/KM

Posted: Wed Mar 05, 2014 9:22 am
by Doohickie
Several of the Sabres wins came after they gave up an early lead to the other team, but Miller must be loving a team that can actually put up 4 goals in a game. Let in or two early and it isn't necessarily a struggle or stretch to expect a win.

Re: GDT #61: 3/4/14 > Blues v Lightning > 7:00 PM > NBCSN/KM

Posted: Wed Mar 05, 2014 9:23 am
by Doohickie
dmiles2186 wrote:Oshie's goal was probably the goal of the year at this point.
Yeah... amazing.

Re: GDT #61: 3/4/14 > Blues v Lightning > 7:00 PM > NBCSN/KM

Posted: Wed Mar 05, 2014 9:29 am
by Doohickie
APOD wrote:It really does suck to get traded lots of things on your mind to try to clear and focus on the game.
We Sabres fans have seen that focus for years. Through the years he's had to put up with a lot of highs and lows and really was a strong locker room presence, even when the Sabres sucked out loud. He had a few outbursts, but they were more of the motivational leadership type than the flaky whiny goalie time. He's a rock.

Re: GDT #61: 3/4/14 > Blues v Lightning > 7:00 PM > NBCSN/KM

Posted: Wed Mar 05, 2014 2:30 pm
by cprice12
And Chicago loses in regulation. A 2pt. lead in the division with 2 games still in hand.

:okman:

Re: GDT #61: 3/4/14 > Blues v Lightning > 7:00 PM > NBCSN/KM

Posted: Wed Mar 05, 2014 4:00 pm
by STLADOGG
Martin St. Louis last game with the Lightning was against the Blues lol.

Re: GDT #61: 3/4/14 > Blues v Lightning > 7:00 PM > NBCSN/KM

Posted: Wed Mar 05, 2014 4:20 pm
by not_a_wings_fan
STLADOGG wrote:Martin St. Louis last game with the Lightning was against the Blues in St. Louis lol.
Fixored