Thursday, 4 a.m.
Here's the good news. With as many players out injured for the Tampa Bay Lightning, only half of the team should be embarrassed.
Of course, those guys should be real humiliated.
The Lightning, who had won seven of eight games, took it in nose against the New York Rangers at home at Benchmark International Arena. The Bolts were overwhelmed, 7-3, by the Rangers.
So what was worse?
-- That goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy lasted only two periods after giving up five goals. He's started 12 games this year and he's given ulp 34 goals.
-- That the Bolts didn't score after the first period. They outshot the Rangers, 34-21, but after scoring three goals in the first period, the goal was closed to them.
The Bolts played without defensemen Victor Hedman and Ryan McDonough. They played without forward Anthony Cirelli and -- after the first period -- Brandon Hagel. They played without support players Dominic James and Pontus Holmberg.
As a result. the Bolts played more like the 1-4-2 start than the 6-1 streak as of late.
The Rangers got five pucks past Vasilevskiy on 18 shots. They added one more against backup Jonas Johansson.
The Rangers scored two quick goals and led 3-1 in the first period. Tampa Bay closed to 4-3 by the end of the first intermission, but didn't score again.
The Bolts got goals from Sott Sabourin, Zemgus Girgensons and Jake Guentzel (shorthanded).
The Lightning travels to Sunrise to play the Florida Panthers at 6 p.m. on Saturday at Amerant Bank Arena.