Contrary to speculation, the new ownership group has implemented no notable alterations to the Lightning. No fear: It's status quo in Hockey Bay!

Cats at Bolts: 7:30p, St. Pete Times Forum, FSN-FL

Panthers: 20-16-7  47P, T-2nd in SE    Lightning:  14-20-10 38P, 3rd in SE

LAST 10:    FLA:  4-3-3           TAM: 5-4-1

HOME & AWAY:   FLA (A):  10-11-3   TAM: (H): 5-7-7

SEASON SERIES: Game 5 of 6

 Another game with potential to be a genuine crowd-pleaser, the Lightning have begun to recover from a tough start to a tougher season, while the Cats attempt to build upon a solid foundation established in the past few weeks.

"The shootouts are hurting us a little bit; we' re dropping some points."

 

- Coach Pete, following Friday's loss to Philadelphia

 

Thunderbug (right) visits with a Lightning Ice Girl before a recent game.

BATTERED AND BRUISED

DIVISIONALLY SPEAKING

 WHAT HAPPENED YESTERDAY?

• As we're all aware, The Flyers took a two goal lead, lost it, and dragged their feet into a shootout whereupon Simon Gagne put away the Panthers 3-2 (SO). Forgetting the final ten minutes of the first period, Florida showed real heart and determination in clawing their way back into this one, a game which could have gotten far out of hand quickly. Yet another contest the Cats would have lost in regulation six weeks ago. Dueling D-men Bryan McCabe and Jay Bouwmeester scored to even it up, while Tomas Vokoun shook off the cobwebs in net, settling down and keeping it interesting. A point is a point, and Florida is now tied with Carolina, while holding two games in hand.
• Kovy had two goals and an assist at home to nudge his Thrashers over the visiting Leafs 4-3 in OT, staying within three points of idle Tampa Bay. Toronto now holds 41 points, good for 11th in the East.
• The host Penguins' Matt Cooke (2g) outscored Anaheim, defeating the listless Ducks 3-1. We now dislike Mr. Cooke, as he pushed Pittsburgh into the eighth spot in the conference. Crosby wasn't even playing. And Chris Pronger...minus-3??? 

TODAY IN THE SOUTHEAST

The entire division is on the ice tonight:

• Carolina (47P) @ Buffalo (48P), 7p. Don't need to explain this one. We're all Sabres fans tonight. Sort of. Not really. I'm out.
• Boston @ Washington, 7p. Epic.
• Atlanta @ Nashville, 8p. The Preds are 4 points of the eighth spot in the West. Thrashers? Not so much.

THE CHASE FOR EIGHTH...AND BEYOND

• Hurricanes/Sabres is the only candidate; ramifications will affect the final third of the Eastern playoff spots.

KEEP AN EYE ON...

• Detroit @ San Jose, 10:30p. The best in the west separated by a single point. The cliched Conference Final matchup?

LITTER BOX LINERS

• Sun-Sentinel: Cats move up despite loss, Blog: Murphy to 'Blades
• Miami Herald: firing blanks in SO
• Palm Beach Post: concern over shoot-out losses
• St. Pete Times: preview, Richards knows Vinny's deal, Blog
• Tampa Tribune: back to normal, Blog
• AP via NHL.com game preview
• AccuScore via The Sporting News
• Mirtle's Playoff Push
• Panthers website
• Lightning website

THE FAR REACHES OF THE BLOGOSPHERE

• Cat Scratch (FLA)
• Panthers on the Prowl (FLA)
• Boltsmag (TAM)

NEXT UP FOR THE CATS

• Buffalo @ Florida, Monday Jan. 19th, 7:30p. A classic "four-point" game with several storylines.