tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4343012534610867297.post730494434549285721..comments2009-02-12T14:38:12.860-05:00Smittyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11989551335635863698noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4343012534610867297.post-63021477395395993942009-02-12T14:38:00.000-05:002009-02-12T14:38:00.000-05:00I try to be realistic about things, and I know what you're saying. However, it's far more complicated than how just the team is playing. There are other teams involved, too, you know. <BR/><BR/>My gut feeling is that it's the other teams in the conference that will dictate where the Lightning end up in the standings. Not just Tampa who plays, but also how the other teams play against each other and the West. Small picture, yeah, the Lightning look sunk. But big picture, you just never know. They're only 13 points out of 8th, which is now Florida, and there's still 28 games to go.<BR/><BR/>Besides it ain't over 'til the fat lady sings, and I haven't sung a single note yet. ;o)Cassiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02617914597426524412noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4343012534610867297.post-84581404829209522762009-02-12T14:04:00.000-05:002009-02-12T14:04:00.000-05:00The core to me would be MSL, V4, Smitty, Ranger, Smaby, Stamkos, maybe Malone (but if we got a good offer I would take it for him). <BR/><BR/>I like the way Recchi has played, and Roberts has finally shown something. <BR/><BR/>I just do not see them making a playoff push of any kind. They looked had they had turned the corner until that loss against Carolina. They have been playing an uninspired for the most part since. <BR/><BR/>Don't get me wrong - they are still my team and I will watch them but my rose colored homer glasses have been knocked off.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4343012534610867297.post-87067299305069521812009-02-12T10:38:00.000-05:002009-02-12T10:38:00.000-05:00Define "core" beyond Lecavalier, St. Louis, and Smith?<BR/><BR/>I don't think they're done. Well, I shouldn't say that. About half the team is done and just waiting to be traded - which would be the group that Tocchet's consistently not happy with and St. Louis has called "clock-killers." <BR/><BR/>A lot can happen in the next two months. Not just with the Lightning, but also with the other teams in the division. Teams playing strongly mid-season tend to crash in the last month or two because they'd peaked too soon. The Lightning just need to keep playing as well as they can and hope that the fates are kind.Cassiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02617914597426524412noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4343012534610867297.post-13115664740292480002009-02-12T00:28:00.000-05:002009-02-12T00:28:00.000-05:00My name is Mike and I run www.NHLsnipers.com. Just curious if you would like to swap links.<BR/><BR/>Let me know in a quick comment on my site or email me: nhlsnipers at gmail.<BR/><BR/>If so, send me the link you want listed.<BR/><BR/>ThanksMikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06017067672697998654noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4343012534610867297.post-78375216905576766102009-02-11T09:12:00.000-05:002009-02-11T09:12:00.000-05:00In the first period I think the game was not called fairly. Atlanta got called every time for putting the open hand on the guy and we got away with it on several occasions. <BR/><BR/>We lost every battle for the puck, they seemed to NJ us. NJ always seems to be in the passing lanes and intercept our passes, they always seem to have open guys to pass to in our end and we seem to never have anyone open to pass to. <BR/><BR/>They seemed to play hard but not <BR/>very smart. <BR/><BR/>The first 2 goals should have never happened. McKenna has to stop that first one - it was weak. And Lukas has to check that guy into the boards and not stick check him a little and let him go so he can pass to the open guy out front. <BR/><BR/>Put a fork in this team - They are done. Just don't trade any of the core at the deadline or over the summer.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com