Tampa Bay Lightning Vs. Winnipeg Jets: Live Thread For Game No. 39
As the Tampa Bay Lightning quickly approach the halfway point in the season, the Bolts take on the Winnipeg Jets at the Amalie Arena in Game Number 39.
The Tampa Bay Lightning went on a terrifying rollercoaster ride in 2016. There were some really fun high points along with some really deep lows; however, at the end of the day, the Lightning and their fans forged through as a team.
As of Saturday night, the ravenous year that was 2016 is the thing of the past. The Lightning is now presented with an epic opportunity. As they charge into the Amalie Arena tonight to continue their five-game homestand, the Lightning have an opportunity to start 2017 off on a whole new skate as they take on the Winnipeg Jets.
The Tampa Bay Lightning received some rather good news prior to tonight’s game. According to Lightning Beat Writer Bryan Burns, Lightning Head Coach Jon Cooper announced Lightning captain Ryan Callahan is “probable” to return tonight against the Jets.
Tampa Bay Lightning
Ryan Callahan has been relegated to the sidelines since November 29th when his surgically repaired hip began to nag him once again. While there is the possibility Callahan could’ve potentially returned slightly sooner than now, but the last thing anyone wants is for Callahan to return too soon and risk further injury and long-term side effects.
There is another player who will be incredibly happy to hit the ice tonight against the Jets. Thanks to the insane amount of injuries the team has been forced to deal with this season, the Lightning were forced to make another call-up from the Lightning’s American Hockey League affiliate, the Syracuse Crunch.
This time, it was forward Adam Erne who received the call. Erne found out this morning he would, in fact, make his NHL debut tonight against the Winnipeg Jets. Being completely honest, we are overly excited to see Erne take the ice tonight. He has been one of our favorite prospects since being drafted by the Bolts in 2013.
There is no denying the Lightning have been through more than their fair share of trials and tribulations since the first puck drop of the 2016-17 season. The good news is, in spite of all the chaos and line shakeups, the Lightning have finally found a way to accomplish what’s important, scoring goals and winning games.
If the Tampa Bay Lightning kick off 2017 under the same circumstances they ended 2016, the Bolts will find themselves in a favorable position. Right now, the Lightning is a mere two points behind the Boston Bruins and the Ottawa Senators in the Atlantic Division.
While it will undoubtedly take a lot of hard work to leapfrog the Bruins and Senators and make a run for the Division-leading Montreal Canadiens, the Bolts Nation knows better than anyone what the Tampa Bay Lightning are capable of when they put their minds to it.
Do you want to be a part of the action tonight? Whether you are watching tonight’s game from the comfort of your home or looking for something to do during intermission, join us here at Bolts By The Bay as we discuss tonight’s action between the Bolts and Jets.
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Topics: Tampa Bay Lightning, Winnipeg Jets, Atlantic Division, Eastern Conference