Midseason Report: Tampa Bay Lightning

Tampa Bay Lightning (10-16-9, 29 pts): After a busy offseason under new ownership, Tampa Bay was picked by many to win the Southeast Division. Needless to say, things have gone much much differently than hoped and expected. Head coach Barry Melrose was fired after an abysmal start to the season, and the Lightning cannot seem to do anything right at either end of the ice.

Vincent Lecavalier (13-18-31) and Martin St. Louis (14-16-30) are doing what they always do, and even the aging Mark Recchi has 22 points. Aside from those three, no one on the team is over 20 points. Rookie Steve Stamkos (4-10-14, -10) has been the victim of poor coaching and his development has suffered immensely. Some of the other offseason pickups have been disappointing, including Radim Vrbata (3-3-6) and Gary Roberts (2-1-3).

Tampa Bay's last ranked offense is not helped by the fact that they can't keep the puck out of their own net. Olaf Kolzig has clearly seen better days, as his 3.66 GAA and 2-4 record in 8 starts clearly demonstrates. Mike Smith has played admirably, posting a .922 save percentage, despite facing over 900 shots already. Only three goalies, Joey Macdonald (New York Islanders), Miikka Kiprusoff (Calgary) and Henrik Lundqvist (New York Rangers), have more saves than Smith, while all three have played in at least three more games. However, as many saves as Smith makes, the Tampa Bay defense just allows even more shots, as they have given up 102 goals.

Current League Rankings

Goals - 30th
Goals Against - T-18th
Powerplay Goals - T-23rd
Powerplay Percentage - 27th
Shorthanded Goals - 26th
Penalty kill percentage - 21st