Lightning Strikes | A glimpse into the future

Plus: Anthony Cirelli continues to outdo himself

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View on the web Go to our home page Subscribe to the Times Wednesday, December 1, 2021 Forward this to a friend Subscribe to more newsletters [SCOTT KANE | Associated Press] Outmanned, but not outperformed in St. Louis This wasn't the Lightning team you've grown accustomed to seeing, and honestly, the most casual Tampa Bay sports fan might've needed a roster to make sure they knew who was on the ice for Tuesday's 4-3 shootout loss to the St. Louis Blues.   No Nikita Kucherov, no Brayden Point and no Steven Stamkos. Stamkos was a late scratch as he left to return to Tampa for the expected birth of his second child. Mathieu Joseph also sat out with an injury, leaving the Lightning with just 11 forwards in uniform.    But the game did offer an interesting glimpse into the Lightning's future. Rookies Alex Barre-Boulet, Boris Katchouk and Taylor Raddysh all nearly had goals, and all three are getting more ice time and expanded roles because of absent veterans. Gabriel Fortier, who made his NHL debut, played well enough to earn a shift in overtime.    Katchouk made an amazing play on a diving wraparound attempt, and had Blues goaltender Jordan Binnington beat — Katchouk even raised his arms in anticipation of his first NHL goal — until the puck came to a stop on the goal line.    Barre-Boulet had two great chances in overtime, and he has a shot that over time will make those chances go in. As for Raddysh, who saw time on the Lightning's power play, he nearly scored his first NHL goal with some heady play in front of the net.   The Lightning blew a 3-0 first-period lead and were frustrated taking home just a point. But the silver lining was that the rookies had to take charge, and for the most part, they performed well.     They aren't household names, but get used to them. They'll be important when filling in for sidelined stars and as a part of the Lightning's future moving forward. A repeat to remember Want to relive the Lightning’s second straight Stanley Cup win? The Tampa Bay Times has a new book for that. Striking Twice commemorates another thrilling NHL championship season. Order yours today! [CRAIG LASSIG | Associated Press] Anthony Cirelli does it all for Lightning If there's one thing we've seen this year through the season's first 21 games, it's how instrumental center Antony Cirelli is to the Lightning's success.   Last season, an early injury slowed him down and he went through a lengthy goal drought. But now, it doesn't take much to see that the 24-year-old is arguably the team's top all-around player.   You saw that in the Lightning's shootout loss to the Blues Tuesday night, when Tampa Bay was down to three centers and Cirelli logged 25:06 of playing time on 31 shifts. Coach Jon Cooper said after the game that Cirelli was the best player on the ice in spite of the loss.   With an expanded role on the first-team power-play unit to go along with his role as one of the team's top penalty-killing forwards, it seems like Cirelli is always in the middle of everything.   On Tuesday, he scored a greasy 5-on-5 goal to give Tampa Bay a lead and then earned the primary assist on Corey Perry's goal. The most exciting thing about Cirelli is that he's likely to keep getting better. [LUIS SANTANA | Times] In case you missed it ... • As Lightning are struck with another injury, opportunity arises   • Lightning play from behind in loss to Wild    • Defenseman Zach Bogosian providing unexpected offense   • Andrei Vasilevskiy gets 200th regular-season win Gain unlimited access to Lightning, Buccaneers and Rays coverage for about $1 a week! Subscribe now Upcoming games Thursday: Lightning vs. Blues, 7 p.m., Bally Sports Sun   Saturday: Lightning at Bruins, 7 p.m., Bally Sports Sun   Sunday: Lightning at Flyers, 6 p.m., Bally Sports Sun   Tuesday: Lightning at Canadiens, 7 p.m., Bally Sports Sun   Dec. 9: Lightning at Maple Leafs, 7 p.m., Bally Sports Sun   Dec. 11: Lightning at Senators, 1 p.m., Bally Sports Sun   Dec. 14: Lightning vs. Kings, 7 p.m., Bally Sports Sun   Dec. 16: Lightning vs. Senators, 7 p.m., Bally Sports Sun Contact Eduardo A. Encina at eencina@tampabay.com. Follow @EddieInTheYard. Did someone forward this to you? Get Lightning Strikes in your own inbox next time. It's free to subscribe. Sign up here. Contact us Privacy policy Terms, conditions & copyright Standard of accuracy © 2021 • All Rights Reserved Tampa Bay Times • 490 First Avenue South • St. Petersburg, FL 33701 • 727-893-8111 To ensure this email is delivered to your inbox, add custserv@elist.tampabay.com to your address book. You are receiving this email because you signed up for the "Lightning Strikes" newsletter from the Tampa Bay Times. If you’d prefer not to receive updates, you can unsubscribe from this email.