The Good: Jonathan Drouin is fitting in nicely with Steven Stamkos on the Tampa Bay Lightning’s Mega Powers line.*
The Bad: Another Lightning player might be injured, as J.T. Brown left the ice following a hard hit by Winnipeg Jets tough guy Chris Thorburn. Update: Brown and Brett Connolly ended up missing the rest of the game and are doubtful for Saturday.
It’s a bit early to assume that Brown will join Victor Hedman and Ryan Callahan on the Lightning’s growing injury list, so let’s focus upon the positive for a bit instead.
As it turns out, Drouin to Stamkos is looking awfully positive:
Yep, that was pretty.
Drouin, 19, now has an assist in two straight games (and counting).
Update: He added his first career NHL goal, too, so now he has three points in his first three games (and possibly counting):
In other words, even with injuries piling up, it’s still difficult to avoid visions of great things for the Lightning franchise. Winning tonight’s game 4-2 didn’t hurt matters, either.
* - Consider this a placeholder nickname, as the combo might just stick ... at least if Jon Cooper is smart.