Edmonton Oilers at Tampa Bay Lightning, Game 74 Breakdown

Edmonton Oilers
@ Tampa Bay Lightning

Thursday, Mar 22, 2012, 5:30 PM MDT
Tampa Bay Times Forum

Raw Charge

The Wall; Tampa Bay Lightning versus Edmonton Oilers preview - Raw Charge
Spring of 2001 introduced former Winnipeg Jets / Phoenix Coyotes goaltender Nikolai Khabibulin to the Tampa Bay area. General Manager Rick Dudley had been in pursuit of Khabibulin's services - an elite, yet idle, goaltender - during the 2000-01 campaign. I remember reading Ira Kaufman at the Tampa Tribune mentioning things over and over again leading up to the 2001 NHL trade deadline. Khabibulin had been holding out with the Phoenix Coyotes. He hadn't played in almost two full seasons, sans for playing time with the Long Beach Ice Dogs of the International Hockey League.

Six Stats: Injured players have specific roles that are hard to fill - Raw Charge
We all know what Martin St. Louis brings to the team, and at the risk of igniting old debates, Vincent Lecavalier's abilities ought to be obvious as well. Between them, they have missed 18 games, and Vinny's still out with a broken hand. These two are the leadership core of this team, and their absence was notable for that reason alone. And I think everyone understands what the loss of Mathieu Garon, the only reliable NHL goaltender on the roster, means to the team.

Victor Hedman visits the Mt. Vernon fourth-grade class - Raw Charge
In case you need something to feel better about after last night's loss, check out this photo and more importantly this photo of Victor Hedman's visit to Mt. Vernon Elementary School this morning, where fourth-grader Andrew White got to take him to school. I'm a grown adult and I'm a little jealous.

Tampa Bay Lightning sign Alex Killorn to two-year deal - Raw Charge
Today adds another prospect to the Lightning table, as 2007 draft pick Alex Killorn was signed to a two-year, two-way contract with the Bolts. Killorn, who has played the last four years with the Harvard Crimson of the ECAC, was a Hobey Baker nominee (not a finalist) this season with his 46 point effort in 34 games this season (23 goals, 23 assists).

Is Sam Gagner The Expendable Man For The Edmonton Oilers? - Cult of Hockey
Where would Sam Gagner be now if he hadn’t picked up eight points against the Chicago Blackhawks on February 2nd?

Oilers at Lightning – Game 74 - Putting on the Foil
Taylor Hall didn’t skate in today’s practice. "Bottom line it’s a concussion. He isn’t available to play tonight. I’m not sure if he’ll skate tomorrow but it’s day to day," Renney stated on Hall.

G74 Oilers at Lightning - Lowetide
Does Hartikainen have what it takes to play that tough, physical style? Can he pass and take a pass? Can his shot beat an NHL goalie?

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