TAMPA, Fla. – The Lightning head into Thursday night’s meeting with visiting Minnesota on a three-game win streak that equals a season high. It is a streak that has included contributions from a number of new players. In fact, four players in the last five games have made their NHL debut.
The newbies have made the most of a potentially huge career opportunity as the Bolts pick up much-needed points.
“Basically, every game now we are seeing a new player and it is a pretty exciting time,” said coach Jon Cooper. “I wish we could spread them out a little bit, but it’s a ton of fun and brings a lot of energy. This chance does not come around often. Because we are so (banged up) there are opportunities for guys and they want to take advantage of it.”
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The defense has been particularly hit hard by injuries. Erik Cernak, Mikhail Sergachev and Haydn Fleury have missed games. Emil Lilleberg, Jack Thompson, Max Crozier and Declan Carlisle are defensemen to have debuted this season on a team that has had eight players appear in their first NHL game.
The 22-year-old Lilleberg has made quite an impression. He played his first game January 6 at Boston and has averaged 14:47 of ice time in four games. He had five hits Saturday night against Anaheim, none louder than the one in the second period that sent Brett Leason to the locker room for the duration of the evening. It was a hit Cooper felt woke up his club, which led 1-0 at the time and would go on to a 5-1 victory against the Ducks.
“‘Lille’ stepped up and made that play,” he said. “He kind of brought us into the fight in a game that I think we were not as engaged as we should have been.”
An experienced clubhouse occupied by a few future hall of famers and a handful of players with Stanley Cup rings has made life easier for the new players.
“Try to make them feel as comfortable and confident as possible,” said Steven Stamkos. “I think they have done a tremendous job of stepping in, especially the defensemen. It is tough to step in this league as a young kid and play some minutes when we are dealing with injuries.”
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Of course, each of the veteran players made their NHL debut at some point. They know how important it is to lend a helping hand, especially on a team battling for playoff position.
“You don’t want to step on anyone’s toes, but everyone gets along in here and it’s important to make those guys feel welcome,” said Calvin de Haan. “They are hoping to be a part of this going forward. I was young, too, at one point and there were some players that really helped me and I am just trying to pass that along.”
Another round of call-ups
On Tuesday, the Lightning recalled defensemen Max Crozier and Phillipe Myers and forward Walter Merela from Syracuse of the AHL. Crozier made his NHL debut Saturday night against Anaheim and played 13 minutes.
Myers, a veteran of 157 NHL games with three teams, has played four games in two stints with the Lightning. Merela made the club out of training camp and played 14 games (no scoring) before being demoted to Syracuse in November.
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