After their third loss in a row and fourth defeat in five games, Tampa Bay Lightning forward Brian Boyle said, “I’d love to play against us right now. It’s easy.”
With some injuries still irking them, it’s naive to say that one return will turn everything around, yet the Lightning have to be thrilled to get underrated defenseman Anton Stralman back in the lineup against the St. Louis Blues tonight.
That’s the word from head coach Jon Cooper to Joe Smith of the Tampa Bay Times.
During this three-game skid, the Lightning allowed 38 shots on goal twice and 30 once; they’ve given up at least 30 in their last seven games.
Could Stralman help stop some of the bleeding? Maybe.
Joel Vermin and Michael Bournival are also in the mix, with Andrei Vasilevskiy getting the start, according to Smith.