The Tampa Bay Lightning just can’t get a break this season. Just when they were again looking like they might have a shot at a playoff spot — they entered today four points out of eighth place, and riding a four game winning streak — they remind us all why they’ve been mired in mediocrity all season long. After stretching extra far to make a glove-hand save, goalie Mathieu Garon went down with an injury and was removed from the game.
Garon left the game at around the four minute mark, and the results from there were predictable enough. Dwayne Roloson replaced Garon in the net, and he’s proceeded to let it sloppy goal after sloppy goal. Maybe his flailing style of net-minded worked when he was younger, but it’s not working for Roli this season; he let in three goals on 11 shots, and at least two of those goals were a result of some slipshod goaltending on his part. He’s been too aggressive coming out of the net after pucks, and he hasn’t been able to recover quick enough whenever he gets caught out of position. He’s been a mess, and the Senators have been feasting.
The Bolts could desperately use a win tonight, but the odds are already stacked against them. If Roloson has to remain in the net tonight or Garon will miss more than just tonight, it may be time to finally say goodbye to the Bolts’ playoff hopes.