Through five games, the 24-year-old Swede has averaged just 11:45 TOI - more than five minutes below last year's season average of 16:52. Holmstrom has recorded an assist on opening night, but has been held pointless since, and is a -4 on the season. Perhaps the most discouraging statistic for Holmstrom is his two shots on the season. While some may be worried about his inability to get pucks through towards the net this season, Patrick Roy sees no cause for concern.
There were four penalties in the first period, so that really sums up that period for me. In the second period, I thought we got caught extending our shifts and kind of lost our... I mean, they transitioned from defense to offense quickly and caught us on some odd-man rushes. In the third period, they had the momentum. We grinded it out, though. The goalie was good.
Well, he is available. I just didn't want to change the lineup... The last few games have been really good. We are just going to keep the lineup the same, and that's all it is. He is an important player - we all like him and want him - but sometimes, these are the decisions a coach has to make. They are not easy for the guys who aren't playing.
The Lightning carried much of the play in the first period, however, it was the shorthanded Panthers who opened the scoring at 11:52 when Eetu Luostarinen beat goaltender Brandon Halverson to Gustav Forsling's dump in. Luostarinen knocked the puck into the air, gloved it down and smacked it into the yawning net. Tampa Bay would even it up at 19:19 on their fourth power play of the frame.
It was an off year. There were things behind the scenes that we all sort of know about. He wasn't a fully healthy player, but he fought through it. I thought he played extremely well for what he was going through. He doesn't just score goals. He does a lot of things. He penalty kills. He goes up against top lines. He is a great defensive player. And there is his work ethic.
How well do you know James Reimer, if at all? Berube: He's an NHL goalie. He's been an NHL goalie. I have never met the guy. When do you expect Reimer to join the group? Berube: Tomorrow. Does this suggest that Joseph Woll might take a little bit longer than expected to return? Berube: No, it doesn't suggest anything. It is just depth.
SAN JOSE San Jose Sharks center Macklin Celebrini practiced with his teammates again on Tuesday after he missed time during training camp last week with what was described as an illness. Celebrini took part in power play drills early in practice, as he formed a unit with fellow forwards Will Smith, Tyler Toffoli, William Eklund and defenseman Sam Dickinson. Another power play unit featured forwards Philipp Kurashev, Alexander Wennberg, Jeff Skinner, Michael Misa and defenseman Dmitry Orlov.
Driving the news: The jackpot surged to $1.4 billion up from the $1.3 billion originally up for grabs Wednesday because of strong national ticket sales, lottery officials said. The cash option for Wednesday's drawing is $634.3 million before taxes. Wednesday's drawing is at 10:59pm ET and the numbers are drawn from the Florida Lottery draw studio in Tallahassee. Drawings are held three times each week on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays.
