Redemption Song

Photo by Linda Hamilton. Used with permission.

Two frustrating losses for the Bolts in the past two nights. Losses to Philadelphia and Boston, two of the teams they are fighting with for position at the top of the Eastern Conference. Games you never want to see your team lose, especially in games where the offense has seemingly dried up. The team is beaten up and bruised and broken down with injuries. It's tough going, that's for sure.

This isn't going to be one of those updates though. There was a bright spot in tonight's game against the Bruins. The play of one Mr. Mike Smith. Smitty had not played an NHL game since early December and he showed some brilliance on many of his saves this evening. It was only one game, but his trip to the AHL seems to have been a powerful motivator.

During an interview showed in the first period, Mike mentioned that he never thought he would play in a Lightning sweater again after he was placed on waivers. The hockey gods have seen fit to give him another chance. I think Smitty has all of the tools to be a very successful goaltender, things have just not fallen into place during his time in Tampa. He's a good guy and I really hope this late season redemption will set him on a better path. For the Lightning's sake in the standings and for his own future in the league.