NHL Preview: Tampa Bay Lightning

Can Lightning strike twice? Charlie Boccanegra looks at Tampa Bay.

The Tampa Bay Lightning were the shock story of the NHL last season making it all the way to game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals. It was an astonishing performance, and it was mainly thanks to the outstanding hire of GM Steve Yzerman.

The Lightning always had a good core of offensive players in Stamkos, Lecavalier, St Louis and Ryan Malone, and defensemen Mattias Ohlund & 2009 2nd overall pick Victor Hedman. Yzerman was able to do what previous GM Jay Feaster could not by providing a good coach in Boucher and some much needed depth throughout the roster.

I think they are still a few pieces away from winning the cup, but the playoffs are well withing the Lightning’s grasp.

The Caps will take a step back in the regular season focusing more of their energy on gearing up for the playoffs. The Lightning are the second most talented team in the division, so +200 is tremendous NHL betting value to win the Southeast.

It all starts up with young superstar Steven Stamkos who could be the best overall forward in the league. Martin St Louis in an ageless wonder who will once again be a top ten scoring threat. Vincent Lecavalier as the third best forward is a scary proposition for opposing defenses. Ryan Malone is also a good quality versatile second line center.

But what’s gotten this team to the next level is Yzerman providing those four with some much needed depth last season – Steve Downie, Teddy Purcell, Dominic Moore and last year’s 6th overall pick in the NHL draft, Brett Connolly.

Defense remains a weak point of this club, despite the upgrades on defense over the past two years. Tampa Bay has brought in quality veterans Ohlund, Brewer and Kubina to help groom 2009 2nd overall pick Victor Hedman but they do not have much depth after that and the aforementioned veterans have suffered several injuries the past couple of years.

Nor has Tampa helped matters in the net, relying on 41 year old Dwayne Roloson to hold the fort. While he has looked sharp at times, it will be tough to trust him to play well for the duration of an entire regular season.

Given the pace of play Boucher likes to push and the skillset of these forwards I expect Lightning games to remain high scoring and would be inclined to wager on OVERS during most of their games.

Making the playoffs is a realistic goal this season but the troubles on the back end and net will prevent them from being legitimate Cup contenders.