Tampa Bay Lightning center Steven Stamkos (91) celebrates after his 40th goal of the season during the third period of an NHL hockey game against the Atlanta Thrashers Saturday, March 6, 2010, in Tampa, Fla. Stamkos is among the hottest scorers in the NHL and, since February of 2009, has scored at a pace close to Sidney Crosby or Alex Ovechkin. And the second-year centre for the Tampa Bay Lightning is helping veteran Martin St. Louis to one of his best seasons. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Chris O'MearaChris O'Meara/The Associated Press
The Leafs are in Tampa Bay tonight (7:30 p.m. Sportsnet) to face a Lightning squad that new general manager Steve Yzerman seems to have pointed in the right direction.
While Vincent Lecavalier has fallen far from the elite player status he enjoyed as a 52-goal scorer in 2006-07, Steve Stamkos has proven to be an absolute beast, tallying an NHL-leading 22 points in 13 games this season after netting 51 goals last season. The kid is a legit sniper.
Mirtle's likely at the beach working on his tan, but we should get some game day notes from his later today.
The links:
I'm not certain of this, but I think the Leafs have the only guy with the first name Korbinian in NHL history. Mirtle spoke with the German blueliner for today's paper.
Feels like Brian Burke might be voting against the coach's on-ice challenge proposal at the GM meetings in Toronto today. I base that opinion on the quote: "Talking about a coaching challenge in response to one goal is like killing a house fly with a bazooka."
Toronto Star reporter Kevin McGran on the NHL's quest for an improved television deal.
Michael Langlois at Vintage Leaf Memories on the heightened sensitivity around the ACC these days.
John at Puckin' Eh has a good preview of tonight's game.
General borschevsky takes coach Ron Wilson to task for his recent comments.
The St. Petersburg Times has a story today on former Leaf Dominic Moore's recent injury struggles.
The Times's Lightning Strikes blog reports Steve Downie is a 'major question mark' for tonight's game.