As the 2009-10 season began for the Tampa Bay Lightning, the road was not kind to the Bolts.
In their first five road games, the Lightning managed no victories and only one point.
Since the horrid start, the Lightning have turned it around on the road and are now on a 3-0-1 string, garnering seven of a possible eight points in their last four away from the St. Pete Times Forum.
Improved goaltending on the road has certainly helped. Antero Niittymaki and Mike Smith have combined for 1.5 goals against in the last four road games, after giving up an abysmal 5.0 goals per game in the first five.
The Lightning have also begun to light the lamp much more consistently, raising their road goals total to 2.75 per game from 1.58.
Antero Niittymaki has been a major force behind the turn around. Niitty has been between the pipes for three of the Lightning's four game streak while Mike Smith started the four of the five in the first set.
That's not to put it all on Smith. While he did struggle quite a bit, the team really didn't give him much offensive support and at times, the Bolts young defense looked confused.
Read Full Article at Bleacher Report - NHL
Article written by JC De La Torre
Road No Longer Unkind for the Tampa Bay Lightning
November 19th, 2009 by JC De La Torre Leave a reply »
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