from John Romano of the Tampa Bay Times,
Even Luciano Pavarotti had to occasionally clear his throat.
That’s what Tuesday night felt like for the Lightning. The once, and possibly future, champions took the ice through a flashing entryway amidst thunderous applause for the home opener at Amalie Arena. They looked as slick and chic as ever, and they had a sold-out crowd screaming its adoring approval.
And when it came time to hit the high notes, they burped.
It was disappointing, but not necessarily shocking. For teams that are well-traveled on the road to the Stanley Cup final, there is a lazy Sunday drive-quality to the regular season.
Don’t get me wrong, the regular season matters. You can’t pass Go without it. But, sometimes, it takes a little time to get everything and everyone steering in the right direction.
In the meantime, you have games like Tuesday when the Lightning blew a two-goal lead and lost 3-2 to a Flyers team with a little more energy, a little more spunk, a little more appetite.
Victor Hedman looks nothing like the perennial Norris trophy candidate player he once was, that bleeds into last season too, unsure if that's age, injury/wear accumulation, interest, combination of all, but if he doesn't return to his elite level of play, and McDonaugh gone, is Tampa a contender? Always in the conversation with the big Kat, but, certainly down some pegs.
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