Devils take over, beat Lightning 5-2

March 20, 2023 general

Monday, 4 a.m. For nine seconds, things were going swimmingly for the Tampa Bay Lightning Sunday night. For nine seconds, just that fast, the Bolts were the masters of the universe. They had won three straight, and they were at home, and they were beating the New Jersey Devils once again with a 2-0 lead. […]

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Hagel’s hat trick keys Bolts’ comeback

March 19, 2023 general

Sunday, 4 a.m. He is perpetually in motion, a skittering, darting superbug of a player. He is here, and then he is there, and sometimes, he is on his way somewhere else. He is Brandon Hagel. Keep up with him if you can. Hagel, the blue blur, scored his second career hat trick Saturday night, […]

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Canales has to build another QB

March 18, 2023 general

Saturday, 4 a.m. The admired quarterback had left town, and the fans acted as if the sky was falling. Only disappointment remained. The guy who was left had one foot out of the NFL, and a lot of critics were ready to push. He had proven in other places that he couldn’t play. Half the […]

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Bolts handle Devils in repeat victory

March 17, 2023 general

Friday, 4 a.m. When a team’s season is on the verge of going to hell, isn’t that the best time to take a swing at the Devils? The Tampa Bay Lightning beat the New Jersey Devils for the second time in three days Thursday night, winning a 4-3 shootout victory. It was a second straight […]

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Odds are against Mayfield saving Bucs

March 16, 2023 general

Thursday, 4 a.m. Perhaps they rescue each other. Perhaps the Tampa Bay. Bucs save Baker Mayfield’s career. Perhaps Mayfield saves the Bucs’ relevancy. Perhaps, this time, it works out. Alas, it usually does not. Content beyond this point is for members only. Already a member? To view the rest of this column, sign in using […]

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Lightning take impressive road win against Devils

March 15, 2023 general

Wednesday, 4 a.m. As much as a game like this begs for hyperbole, no, the Tampa Bay Lighting wasn’t perfect Tuesday night. But it was close. The Bolts, who have been in the worst slump of their season — maybe many seasons — gathered themselves enough to spank the high-flying New Jersey Devils, 4-1. The […]

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Will Bucs pass the torch to Mayfield?

March 14, 2023 general

Tuesday, 4 a.m. It was never going to be a heart-warming image to see someone other than Tom Brady as the quarterback of the Tampa Bay Bucs. But isn’t it supposed to feel better than this? After all, there is nothing to inspire hope like a new quarterback, a fresh set of potential with his […]

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Bolts fall to Winnipeg in narrow defeat

March 13, 2023 general

Monday, 4 a.m. The nosedive of the Tampa Bay Lightning has now entered the “shoulda, coulda” phase. The Bolts lost once again Sunday night, falling to the Winnipeg Jets, 3-2. The Bolts played fairly well, but they have now won only four times in their last 14 games, an unsettling statistic as the playoffs approach. […]

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Point delivers late again in Bolts’ victory

March 12, 2023 general

Sunday, 4 a.m. The closer the clock is to dying, the more Brayden Point comes to life. Once again, Point was the star for the Tampa Bay Lightning, which pulled out a 3-1 victory over Chicago. Point scored two goals for the Bolts, the ninth time this season he has had a two-goal game (but […]

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Bucs lagging in quarterback scramble

March 11, 2023 general

Saturday, 4 a.m. And just like that, the NFC South is a quarterback convention. Suddenly, it’s the place that all the strong-armed quarterabacks go. Free agents. Draft picks. Forgotten warriors. Everyone. And the Tampa Bay Bucs? They’re hiring. Going into the off-season, that was what the four NFC South teams had in common. They all […]

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