Five things we learned from the Lightning’s preseason finale
TAMPA — The Lightning’s 5-2 preseason-finale victory over the Panthers at Amalie Arena on Saturday wasn’t perfect, but Tampa Bay looked like a team ready for the regular season.
“The more reps you get, the more comfortable you are, and I think (Saturday) was a lot better in that aspect,” forward Brayden Point said. “I liked our playmaking, our skating. I thought we were comfortable with the puck. We weren’t afraid to make some plays, and I thought our guys were moving.”
Forward Vladislav Namestnikov recorded a hat trick less than halfway into the game. Namestnikov has been the most impactful newcomer in the lineup, finishing the preseason with a team-high five goals. Forward Corey Perry assisted on all three Namestnikov goals, and forward Nikita Kucherov had a goal and an assist.
Defenseman Mikhail Sergachev (lower-body injury) didn’t play, and captain Steven Stamkos didn’t dress, either. Coach Jon Cooper said both would be ready for Tuesday’s opener against the Rangers in New York.
Here are our takeaways from Saturday’s win:
Namestnikov’s versatility a plus
If we learned one thing from the preseason games, it’s that Namestnikov can help the Lightning in a variety of ways. With Stamkos not playing Saturday, Namestnikov jumped into the first power-play unit and scored one man-advantage goal and assisted on another. His power-play goal came as the Lightning experimented with an all-forward look in a 5-on-3, burying a shot from the far post following Perry’s cross-crease pass.
Namestnikov also scored twice centering the third line and has shown all preseason that he has a nose for the net. “It’s obviously a little adjustment,” he said of rejoining the Lightning, who drafted him in 2011, traded him in 2018 and brought him back in free agency in this offseason. “You kind of have to get used to everything new, but you just go out there and play hockey, make reads and … have fun.”
That’s the Point we know
For Point, this week’s final two preseason games were all about getting his legs back. It looks like he has his speed back coming off a quad muscle injury suffered in the first round of last season’s playoffs that impacted the rest of his postseason, and he had some opportunities Saturday, including a breakaway he couldn’t convert.
He did score in the third period. He beat everyone to the front of the net on a rush, and defenseman Cal Foote found him along the post for an easy goal. “I go back to just trying to feel comfortable on the ice again, be confident in your reads and in the plays you’re making,” he said.
Kucherov is still big time
Even given that line jumbling is part of the preseason, the offense had been pretty unproductive going into Saturday’s game. But from Kucherov’s first shot Saturday — a pinpoint one-timer from the right circle over Panthers goaltender Spencer Knight’s left shoulder that gave the Lightning a 1-0 lead — he slowed the game and made it look easy.
On Point’s goal, Kucherov pushed the puck up the ice quickly but steadily and sent a drop pass to Foote behind him, giving the defenseman space to fine Point. Kucherov looks like he’s ready to go.
Hagel can be a game-changer on the penalty kill
There seems to be another level to forward Brandon Hagel’s game yet to be revealed. But there’s no doubt he can make an impact on the penalty kill. Hagel has a great stick, and combine that with his speed and he can create shorthanded breakaway opportunities. He forced a turnover in the neutral zone in the third period and was off to the races before being denied by Knight. Hagel now has to bury those chances.
Fortier can help on a checking line
Stamkos’ absence allowed the Lightning to get one last game look at forward Gabriel Fortier. With Perry playing up on the third line, Fortier skated with Pierre-Edouard Bellemare and Pat Maroon on the fourth line. He’s not the biggest player at 5 feet 10 and 173 pounds, but Fortier brought some jam to the line. He finished one of the loudest checks of the game in the offensive zone and buzzed behind the net on the forecheck. Fortier can play a heavy game, and there’s no questioning his compete level. He provides the Lightning an option to spell members of a fourth line that averages 36 years of age.
Contact Eduardo A. Encina at eencina@tampabay.com. Follow @EddieintheYard.
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