Former Rangers Callahan and Stralman, with a Big Side of Stamkos, Lead Bolts to Win

As we hockey fans in Tampa Bay sit down to dinner today, let us bow our heads and give thanks to Martin St. Louis. For in demanding a trade to the New York Rangers last March, St. Louis brought to us Ryan Callahan (and two first-round draft picks). And we give thanks to Ryan Callahan, for in embracing the Tampa Bay Lightning way of life he brought to us Anton Stralman and Brian Boyle. And we give thanks to Anton Stralman and Brian Boyle, for with Ryan Callahan and Steven Stamkos and Ben Bishop they shall lead us to the promised land of the Stanley Cup. We have much for which to be thankful, but especially for Marty St. Louis, who in appearing to turn his back on us instead shared with us a great bounty, a blessing for which he will always be appreciated.

Nov 26, 2014; Tampa, FL, USA; New York Rangers right wing Martin St. Louis (26) warms up while a fans holds a sign saying “Thank you for the Memories” before the game against the Tampa Bay Lightning at Amalie Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Let us feast, just as the Tampa Bay Lightning feasted on the New York Rangers for the second time in nine days, taking a 4-3 victory in front of a raucous sell-out crowd at the Amalie Arena. And for the second time in nine days Ryan Callahan scored two goals against his former team in leading the way to victory. And for the second time in nine days Marty St. Louis was held in check — even more this time than last — as the Bolts defenders held the former Lightning captain and forever Lightning turncoat with nary a shot in nearly 20 minutes of ice time. It was supposed to be Marty’s night, this first game back in Tampa after all the drama last spring. And it was his night to have a video tribute in the first period to a loud mixture of catcalls and cheers. It was his night to hear loud booing cascade from the fans every time he touched the puck, especially early and late. It was his night to be carved up and served on a platter, much like today’s main course.

The Bolts and Rangers meet again next Monday evening, the third meeting in 14 days. The focus will no longer be on Marty St. Louis, but on whether or not the 2014 Stanley Cup finalist Blueshirts can salvage even one win in the season series with Tampa Bay. But that is a meal for another day.

Wednesday night was the Ryan Callahan and Steven Stamkos all-you-can-score buffet. They each spooned up three points, Cally with two goals and an assist and Stammer with a goal and two assists, in leading the way to victory. Nikita Kucherov scored the fourth and final goal, the eventual game-winner, the dessert to wrap up a satisfying evening at table.

Stamkos opened the scoring in the first period, 5:25 into the contest, when Valtteri Filppula took a pass from Callahan, dished to the right, and Stamkos blasted a one-timer over Henrik Lundqvist’s shoulder, short-side high, and in, on the first Lightning power play of the game. It was the first goal scored against the Rangers in nine days, as the Blueshirts threw two shutouts between the battles with the Bolts.

More from Bolts by the Bay

• Tampa Bay Lightning: Maxim Groshev Stands Out at Rookie Showcase
• Tampa Bay Lightning Atlantic Division Preview: Boston Bruins
• Do the Tampa Bay Lightning provide Tyler Motte with career stability?
• Mikhail Sergachev hints a renewed vigor for the Tampa Bay Lightning
• Four training camp battles to watch with the Tampa Bay Lightning

The Rangers scored two goals in little over two minutes to take a 2-1 lead. Rick Nash set up the first goal by stripping the puck from a fumbling Andre Sustr, then passing left to Mats Zuccarello, who beat Ben Bishop high. Then, on a power play created by the Lightning putting too many players on the ice, former Tampa Bay defenseman Dan Boyle fluttered a one-timer from the left that sneaked by Bishop.

Still in the first period, but late, away from the play, Nash made a dangerously violent hit on Ondrej Palat, essentially a cross-check to the head, that left the Lightning forward briefly dazed and down. The officials assessed Nash with a double minor penalty for the hit, a blow which no doubt will be reviewed by the league to see if additional consequences should be applied. Callahan scored during the first half of the double penalty, deflecting a Jason Garrison shot from close in to tie the game at 2-2, Stamkos had the other helper on the goal.

The play turned defensive in the second period. Chances were limited and shots infrequent. The Bolts picked up the only goal halfway through the period. Stamkos skated right to left behind the net, centered a perfect pass for Callahan in front of Lundqvist, and Cally bumped it home for his 10th goal of the season. Alex Killorn had the other helper on the score, extending Killer’s point streak to six games. The period ended with the Bolts ahead on the scoreboard, 3-2, and ahead in shots, 20-11. Yep, the Lightning defenders allowed only 11 shots in two periods, continuing the tight defensive play that helped so much in last Saturday’s 2-1 win over Minnesota.

Nov 26, 2014; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Lightning goalie Ben Bishop (30) is congratulated by defenseman Anton Stralman (6) and center Steven Stamkos (91) after they beat the New York Rangers at Amalie Arena. Tampa Bay Lightning defeated the New York Rangers 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Early in the third period Marty St. Louis got his first and last big scoring chance, getting in alone to the right of Bishop. He could not lift the puck high enough on the shot attempt and Bishop swatted it away. The official scorekeeper did not even credit Marty with an official shot after the play. He got nada.

Just past the halfway mark in the period Matt Carle snapped a shot from just inside the blue line that was deflected by Tyler Johnson and deflected again by Nikita Kucherov’s skate and into the strings. The Bolts were up, 4-2. That eventual game-winner was Kucherov’s eighth goal of the season. Rick Nash took advantage of a tiring Lightning quintet who could not get to the bench after three icing calls and flipped a wrister past Bishop to pull the game to 4-3. And that’s how it ended.

Ryan Callahan was the consensus first star of the game, Steven Stamkos the second star, and defenseman Anton Stralman the third star after leading the Lightning in hits (6), blocked shots (3), and ice time (24:33). Bolts coach Jon Cooper must have known something. He assigned the “A” (for alternate captain) to Callahan and Stralman before the match. Stamkos wore his usual “C,” and showed why.

The victory moved the Bolts to 15-6-2 and 32 points, tied for second most in the NHL and also the most ever for a Tampa Bay Lightning team 23 games into a season.

And that is why we should give thanks to Martin St. Louis, not only on Thanksgiving Day but every single day. His successful trade demand last March may have cost him some love in Tampa Bay, but it also led to the formation of arguably the best team the Lightning have ever put on the ice. And for this we should be grateful.