Tampa Bay Lightning – So Hot, So Cold!

Lightning players cutting ice time for this season include forwards Evgeny Artyukhin, Ryan Craig, Adam Hall, Jeff Halpern, Jussi Jokinen, David Koci, Vincent Lecavalier, Ryan Malone, Matt Pettinger, Vaclav Prospal, Mark Recchi, Gary Roberts, Radek Smolenak, Martin St. Louis, Steven Stamkos, and Paul Szczechura. Defenders include Steve Eminger, Jamie Heward, Lukas Krajicek, Marek Malik, Andrej Meszaros, Cory Murphy, Janne Niskala, Paul Ranger, and Matt Smaby. Goalkeepers include Olaf Kolzig and Mike Smith.

None of the players are currently on injured reserve. Without a doubt, a great coach and support team plays an integral role. Lighting coaches and coaches include Acting Head Coach Rick Tocchet, Assistant Coach Wes Walz, Assistant Coach Cap Raeder, Video Coach Nigel Kirwan, Head Athletic Trainer Tom Mulligan, Assistant Athletic Trainer Mike Poirier, Masseur Mike Griebel, team manager Ray Thill, assistant team manager Clay Roffer and assistant team manager Rob Kennedy.

As Lightning fondly refers to them, there are more than a few players in the pipeline for this team. Lightning forwards include Dimitri Bezrukov, Brandon Bochenski, Anton But, Justin Courtnall, Luca Cunti, Kyle De Coste, Mitch Fadden, Alexi Glukhov, Chris Gratton, Johan Harju, Blair Jones, Denis Kazionov, Dimitri Kazionov, Justin Keller, Alexander Killorn , Zenon Konopka, Chris Lawrence, Matt Marshall, Alexander Polushin, Pavel Sedov, Brandon Segal, Juraj Simek, Wyatt Smith, Vitali, Smolyninov, Matias Sointu, Ilya Solarev, Dana Tyrell, Albert Vishnyakov, Radim Vrbata and James Wright. Defenders include Mark Barberio, David Carle, Justin Fletcher, Andreas Holmqvist, Scott Jackson, Vladimir Mihalik, Kevin Quick, Andy Rogers, Jay Rosehill, Michael Ward, John Wessbecker, Ty Wishart, Luke Witkowski, and Jan Zapletal. Goalkeepers include Riku Helenius, Torrie Jung, Vasily Koshechkin, Karri Ramo, and Dustin Tokarski.

The Lightning got a win against the Sabers and will end the month of January with games against the Hurricanes and the Flyers both away and at home, respectively. In February, the Lightning will hit the road and hit the ice as visitors against islanders, penguins, hurricanes, greasers and canucks. For the remainder of the games in February, the Lightning will host home games against the Islanders, Thrashers, Maple Leafs, Capitals, Blackhawks, Devils and Bruins. In March, the Lightning will go on tour again to play the Flames, Maple Leafs, Panthers, Canadiens, Capitals, Lightning and the Bruins. The month of March also has many home games planned where the Lightning will host the Penguins, Blues, Hurricanes, Maple Leafs, Capitals, Thrashers, Blue Jackets and Senators.

In April, just five additional games mark the end of the 2008-2009 NHL season. At home, the Lightning will end their season with road games against the Devils, Islanders and Thrashers; the last of which is the final game scheduled for Saturday, April 11. The Lightning will also host the Penguins and Capitals at home in April to complete the season.

The Lightning is currently 12th in Eastern Conference League games with 42 points from 16 wins, 21 losses and 10 OT.