The Tampa Bay Lightning are here Saturday night and they're coming off a victory that is the talk of the NHL today -- an 8-7 win over the Flyers Thursday night in Philadelphia that saw the teams combine for nine first-period goals. If you missed it, it's worth a look as the NHL Network will rebroadcast the shootout Saturday at 4.
Lightning gunner Steven Stamkos had a hat trick in the game and he leads the NHL in goals (19) and points (35). Alexander Semin is next in goals with just 14 and Sidney Crosby is second in points (29).
Sabres coach Lindy Ruff, of course, is paying most of attention to the Los Angeles Kings because they're tonight's opponent. But he got a look at the Lightning last night too. Tampa Bay (10-7-2) is fifth in the East in its first year under coach Guy Boucher and GM Steve Yzerman.
"I saw it was 5-4 after the first, I saw Philly was up 7-5 and the final," Ruff said. "That's good old-fashioned hockey there."
Ruff, of course, is a defensive-minded coach but fans love offense. Asked if he wanted to coach in such a free-wheeling game, Ruff smiled and said, "If you win, I'd love to coach that game."
Check out the highlights below.
---Mike Harrington
(www.twitter.com/bnharrington)
