In an already injury-riddled season, Tampa Bay Lightning fans were fearing the worst after forward Tyler Johnson was struck in the head by an Adam McQuaid clearing attempt during Sunday's game against the Boston Bruins.
The 25-year-old left a large puddle of blood on the ice before leaving for the dressing room. Though the injury appeared gruesome - the puck struck Johnson just above the eye - head coach Jon Cooper told reporters Johnson should be fine.
"Hopefully, he's going to be OK," Cooper said postgame. "He was getting stitched up when we came off the ice."
After a breakout 72-point campaign last season, Johnson has struggled this season with just nine goals and 16 assists in 49 games.
Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.
The Tampa Bay Lightning won their sixth consecutive game Sunday, beating the division rival Boston Bruins 4-1, thanks in large part to their red-hot top line of Steven Stamkos, Alex Killorn, and Ryan Callahan.
Callahan had two goals and an assists while his linemates each added a goal and a helper on the night. At the other end, Ben Bishop shut the door with 32 saves to help Tampa Bay move two points ahead of Boston for sole position of second place in the Atlantic.
The Lightning reunited their former first line on Feb. 16, and though they lost that night's game to the San Jose Sharks, the team hasn't looked back since. In their last seven games together, the three players have combined for an incredible 28 points.
| Player | G | A | P |
|---|---|---|---|
| Callahan | 5 | 6 | 11 |
| Stamkos | 6 | 3 | 9 |
| Killorn | 3 | 5 | 8 |
Stamkos' goal, which came via penalty shot, extended his league-best goal-scoring streak to six games. It's his longest such streak since a seven-game run in 2010.
Sunday's matchup was the beginning of a three-game Lightning road trip against Atlantic Division opponents. They will visit the Toronto Maple Leafs on Monday before taking on the Ottawa Senators on Thursday.
Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.
The Los Angeles Kings may be the next Stanley Cup contender to add a rental ahead of the trade deadline.
The Kings appear to be closing in on a trade to acquire veteran forward Kris Versteeg from the Carolina Hurricanes, according to multiple reports.
CAR cannot retain salary on any deals. At max of 3 (Harrison, Staal, Ruutu). PHI in same spot.
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) February 29, 2016
In return, Los Angeles is believed to be sending Russian prospect Valentin Zykov and a conditional fifth-round pick, according to Kings insider Jon Rosen.
Versteeg was held out of the Hurricanes' lineup for Sunday's 5-2 loss against the St. Louis Blues. The 32-year-old is a two-time Stanley Cup champion with the Chicago Blackhawks, winning with them in 2010 and 2015.
He has 11 goals and 22 assists in 63 games this season.
Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.
Stamkos on a penalty shot? You better believe it's beautiful. #TBLvsBOShttps://t.co/zr5E30Qq7d
— NHL (@NHL) February 29, 2016
Tampa Bay Lightning captain Steven Stamkos extended his league-best goal-scoring streak to six games on a penalty shot Sunday, fooling Boston Bruins goalie Tuukka Rask with a move before sneaking the puck around his left pad for his 28th goal of the season, and giving his team a 4-1 second-period lead.
Stamkos can tie his career best for consecutive games with a goal (7) if he scores tomorrow night in Toronto.#TBLightning #TBLvsBOS
— Bryan Burns (@BBurnsNHL) February 29, 2016
The 26-year-old was awarded the penalty shot after being hit from behind by Brad Marchand while breaking towards the net. It was Stamkos' third penalty shot of the season. He failed to score on his two earlier attempts.
It appeared Stamkos may have scored just two minutes before with a howitzer from the point, but the shot was tipped by Ryan Callahan for his second goal of the game.
Stammer with the snipe, Cally with the exclamation point.https://t.co/SKee0HMqUq
— Tampa Bay Lightning (@TBLightning) February 29, 2016
Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.
Adam McQuaid had a long skate back to the Boston Bruins' bench Sunday after an embarrassing fall led to a Tampa Bay Lightning goal.
The veteran defenseman lost his balance with nobody near him as he received a pass at the point. His slip opened the door for a two-on-zero between Ryan Callahan and Alex Killorn, which they executed to perfection for Callahan's ninth goal of the season.
While McQuaid reminded all hockey fans that ice is, indeed, slippery, one Twitter user discovered another possible cause for the blown tire.
Just went back and reviewed the McQuaid play. pic.twitter.com/Ab3A5HZuO1
— ETD51 (@ETD51) February 29, 2016
Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.