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" • Canada • 26 Years Old • Male
Simply embarrassing. To be honest, that’s the only way I can really sum up the last few games for the Lightning. When this little 3 games in 4 nights started, I said that three wins were very possible and that two was the absolute minimum. Well, the Lightning came out and delivered exactly 0 wins.

Losing to the Rangers? Okay that’s fine. Losing to the Senators? I suppose they are…alright. Losing the the Islanders? That’s just wrong. How did this team go from being a Stanley Cup contender at the start of the season to losing 5 games in a row. It’s pretty obvious that this team is playing with absolutely no confidence right now. Something needs to be done.

Over this little stretch, it’s become even more apparent that goaltending is a huge issue for this team moving forward. We’ve seen that Dwayne Roloson should have retired, but up until this point Garon has been moderately good. Tonight, that all changed. Garon was brutal tonight. This team needs a good, young goaltender to lead it into the future.

The core group of this team has to be a little strong. I’m not necessarily talking about on-ice play as I do believe that few players are as consistent and hard working as St. Louis and Stamkos, but off the ice. Things need to be said in that room to get this team going. You’d hate to think that Guy Boucher isn’t the guy to hold the meeting, but I think this is the players’ issue. Look at what Vancouver did last year after a loss to Chicago. There was a players only meeting in which guys stepped up and talked about what was going on. From there, they were the hottest team in the league. That needs to happen in Tampa.

I’m not going to dig too deeply into this whole losing streak as it pretty much speaks for itself. Things aren’t right with this team at this point. If you had asked me which team in the SE division would be 11-14-2 at this point in time I would have said the Winnipeg Jets. But hold on, wow, the Jets are ahead of the Lightning in the standings. Come on, that’s not acceptable.

With the way Washington is playing, this team should be the best team in the division by a mile. The Florida Panthers just aren’t as good as their record indicates.

Steve Yzerman needs to look down to the ice and realize that this team is in serious disarray. This isn’t the team that went on a nice run last season. This is a below 500 team. We can’t continue to give players opportunities that they aren’t deserving of. Any goaltending move would be welcomed at this point. Where is Tokarski? Why not bring him up for a chance to play.

If you can’t tell by the style of this blog, the Lightning’s play has me really upset. When you know a team should be much better than it is, it’s upsetting. At this point in time, with the mixed bag schedule to end the month, I’d be happy if the team could finish the month at .500. Have I lost faith in this team? No. I just don’t see them turning it around too quickly. Even if the team starts playing better, the goaltending is still a massive issue.

My final thought: WHY ISN’T ERIC BREWER SITTING IN THE PRESS BOX?

Follow me on Twitter: @michaelstuart93
Filed Under:   tampa   bay   lightning   losing   streak  
December 7, 2011 12:12 AM ET | Delete
Haven't actually been able to watch the past couple of games, but from what I read and hear from friends, it's becoming quite a bit of a horror show. Something needs to be done, now.And if for nothing else, they need to pick it up because I fly down to Florida next week, and going to a couple games.
December 7, 2011 1:20 AM ET | Delete
Islanders outplayed them in every aspect of the game
December 7, 2011 1:37 AM ET | Delete
Norbs, it's ridiculous. They look lost out there and no one is doing anything about it. I understand that Guy Boucher likes to yell from the bench to motivate the guys, but at this point, maybe try something else out. ANYTHING.
December 7, 2011 1:37 AM ET | Delete
Danny, not disagreeing with you there. But in all honesty, the Lightning shouldn't have any trouble beating the Isles when you look at the teams on paper.
December 7, 2011 1:53 AM ET | Delete
December 7, 2011 7:31 AM ET | Delete
December 7, 2011 10:48 AM ET | Delete
December 7, 2011 11:11 AM ET | Delete
I can't watch over even listen in the radio anymore. Went to the last games of the season when we finished 29th and 30th, but this is just a sad train wreck. Wake me up when something gets done.
December 7, 2011 2:56 PM ET | Delete
December 7, 2011 3:10 PM ET | Delete
It's really ugly. There's not even any urgency to get out of this slide. It's almost like the team just expects to snap out of it. Recipe for disaster.
December 7, 2011 4:19 PM ET | Delete
Oh none take Islanders have Tavares carrying the team offenseAnd Montoya played amazing.But i like the lightnin and I believe stamkos is an elite talent with a rocket wrist shotTampa's d needs adjusting and I disagree with Tampa's forward line combanationsHope you guys figure it out soon
December 7, 2011 4:25 PM ET | Delete
Agreed with you there. I think that the line-up needs a little more balance at times. Depth is a huge issue for the team right now. After Stamkos and St. Louis, the offensive consistency disappears.
December 7, 2011 10:11 PM ET | Delete
December 8, 2011 3:47 PM ET | Delete
Boucher rides Brewer and Hedman like nobody else, and there is an obvious drop off beyond them. Recently when the team faced a 5 on 3 situation for 1 1/2 minutes, those were the two players to play defence for the ENTIRE span, even taking a time out halfway through so they didn't have to line change. Brewer is not the problem, it's the fact the Lightning lack depth behind him.check out my blog on the lightning :)
December 8, 2011 6:54 PM ET | Delete
The depth issue, at all positions, is rearing its ugly head right now. I don't think that Brewer the "player" is the issue. I think you're misunderstanding me there. I think that the way he is being used is forcing him into making uncharacteristic gaffes and mistakes.
December 8, 2011 6:55 PM ET | Delete
Ohlund's value on this team is really being shown right now. Boucher needs to find a way to spread the ice time out so that Brewer can play the way we know he can. Right now, he's being overworked to the point that he's become rather uneffective.
December 9, 2011 2:43 AM ET | Delete
You asked why he isn't in the pressbox. I can;t see any other way of interpreting that.
December 9, 2011 3:31 AM ET | Delete
Time off. To me, that's what he needs right now. Sit him for a game, let him catch his breath. The guy has been overworked. I know the kind of player he is, we saw it in last night's game, but it has to be consistent. Put him in the pressbox, let him relax for a little bit, then play him 23-25 minutes a night. You'll have a lot better player.
December 9, 2011 4:17 AM ET | Delete
We can agree to disagree on how he is being managed and how he should be managed, but would you agree that he is a much better player than he's shown so far this season?
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Blog Archive

01 Lightning News and Notes to Start December
02 Why Bolts Must Get Into Bobby Ryan Trade Discussions
02 Breaking News: Lightning Make Minor Trade with Panthers
03 10 Bold Predictions for Rangers vs. Lightning Game
04 Lightning Lose to Rangers: My Prediction Round Up
06 Simply Embarassing: Lightning Drop 5th Straight to Islanders
08 Lightning Beat Rangers to End Losing Streak - Mixed Bag
10 The 1-3-1 Returns: Flyers Take on Bolts at Wells Fargo
11 Lightning Fall to Flyers: The Slot Looks Like a Drive-Thru
12 From Bad to Worse + Lightning Sign Miettinen
14 Lightning Talk: Defensemen to Target in Free Agent Frenzy
14 Scenario
15 Bolts Squeeze By Flames Thanks to Dominant Second Period
17 Lightning Should Make a Push for Shea Weber
18 Bolts Down Blue Jackets + Rumor Round-Up
20 Why the Lightning WILL make the Playoffs This Season
22 Lightning Embarrassed by Sharks in San Jose: U-G-L-Y
22 Tampa Bay Lightning: I Want Your Opinions
23 Bolts vs. Avalanche: A Long-Winded Game Preview
24 Bolts Lose to Avalanche in Goalie Battle + Rumor Round-Up
25 Risky Business: Victor Hedman and Other Top-5 D-Men
26 Flyers vs. Bolts Shaping Up to be a Great Game -- Preview
27 Next 6 Games Vital for Lightning + My Predictions
27 Bryzgalov Shaky as Lightning Beat Up on Flyers
29 A Tale of Two Underperforming Teams: Bolts vs. Canadiens
29 A V for Vinny, a V for Victory: Bolts Down Habs 4-3
30 Bolts/Canes Preview + HB Hotstove Response + Rumor Update
31 Lightning Defeat 'Canes 5-2 on Phil Esposito Night