Tampa Bay Lightning forward Jonathan Drouin remains a game-time decision tonight against the Calgary Flames as he continues to deal with the effects of the flu.
The Tampa Bay Lightning heads into the second game of their current four-game homestand as they prepare to take on the Calgary Flames. Should the Lightning emerge victoriously in tonight’s contest, they will extend their current point-streak to a whopping eight games.
Unfortunately for the Lightning and their fans, there is a possibility the team may have to take the ice without the assistance of one of their most powerful playmakers. According to Tampa Bay Lightning Beat Writer Bryan Burns, Lightning Head Coach Jon Cooper says Drouin will be a “game-time decision” tonight as he is “still battling the effects of the flu.”
In the event Drouin is unable to go tonight when the puck drops at 7:30 p.m. at the Amalie Arena, the Lightning will have some pretty big skates to fill. Drouin currently has both a goal and an assist in his last five games for a total of two points.
Tampa Bay Lightning
Of course, this is nothing compared to his season numbers. In the 51 games the 21-year-old Quebec native has played this season, he has brought home 17 goals and 19 assists for a total of 36 points. These numbers place Drouin in third place on the team in goals and fourth place in overall points.
Ironically enough, if you had told us at this point last season Jonathan Drouin would have such a tremendous impact on the team, there is a good chance we would’ve laughed in your face. At this point last season, it seemed as if Drouin was all but out the door, after demanding a trade away from the team.
Thankfully, the Drouin trade drama is a thing of the past and he is better using his talents to make a name for himself in the National Hockey League for his outstanding skills and not for being the rookie to take some really bad advice from his agent.
Right now, the Calgary Flames find themselves in a very similar position to the Tampa Bay Lightning. The Flames are currently nestled into the second Wild Card spot in the Western Conference. Much like the Eastern Conference, this is a very tight race and every single point is important.
In other words, the Lightning is definitely going to have to bring their ‘A’ game tonight when they battle the Flames. As one could easily imagine, a player like Jonathan Drouin is a big part of the Lightning’s ‘A’ game.
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Unfortunately, only time will tell how this particular story is going to play out. The good news is, we are only a matter of hours from puck drop, and as the time draws closer, the bigger picture will more than likely come into view and fans can see how things will transpire on the ice.