This would work better if the Montreal Canadiens hadn’t dropped a 3-2 overtime decision to the New Jersey Devils, but “thumbs up” to the losing goalie in that game, Montreal rookie Mike Condon. He could do nothing about a lost face-off that led to New Jersey’s tying goal in the game’s 60th minute, and he was helpless on the overtime winner by John Moore, as goalies often are in the helter skelter of 3-on-3 chaos.
Nevertheless, Condon helped the Habs register one point, and he has now accounted for 19 of their league-leading 39 points in the standings, just one less than Carey Price. Make no mistake, Price’s injury is cause for concern in Montreal, but imagine if Condon did not appear capable of holding the fort.
Of course, he won’t be able to do that alone if Price is out of action for a significant length of time, so the need for backup help will fall to Dustin Tokarski. No matter what, the Canadiens must err on the side of caution with Price. Their first-place standing and big lead in the Eastern Conference helps them do that. So does Condon, if he can continue his fine play.
If I were a Tampa Bay fan, I would say “thumbs down” to the uncertain future of Steven Stamkos. Cheering for the Lightning, one year after a trip to the Stanley Cup final and not knowing if Stamkos will be part of another playoff run, is understandably hard.
Simply put, Tampa Bay might be a title contender again if the Stamkos contract story ends positively, prior to the trade deadline, but it is unlikely that the Lightning will have more post-season success, or even qualify for the playoffs, if they are forced to deal their captain. So you can excuse the Tampa Bay fan if he/she simply wants to know, tomorrow if not today, which way it’s going to be.
Meanwhile, Tampa’s season can only be described as confusing. The highest-scoring team in the NHL a year ago sits 18th with only 58 goals in 25 games. Stamkos seems unaffected by the uncertainty of his own situation, as he leads the team in scoring and is on pace to score 40 or more goals for the fifth time in his career. But every other scorer, be it for injuries or other reasons, is a long way from last season’s pace.
Never mind the fans, the team should want to know where Stamkos will be next season so it can properly address the rest of this one.
Source: tsn.ca