Three observations from Lightning's biased exhibition loss to Predator

With three games to go until the Lightning’s exhibition schedule, it’s difficult to assess the team’s preseason so far.

Young players are trying to find their footing, the forward line and defensive pairings are jumbled, and the lineup doesn’t represent what’s expected at the start of the regular season.

That said, the Lightning fell 0-3 after a one-sided 7-1 loss to the Predators at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee on Friday night. To secure an opening roster, organization executives hoped some players would have to make tough decisions, but that didn’t happen.

Below are three observations from the loss.

there were many holes in the defense

The Lightning didn’t have an easy week when Hurricane Ian forced them to abruptly move to Nashville. But they were terrible off the pack at the end of themselves. Admittedly, there weren’t many regulars in the lineup, but the defense was seen far too often.Goalkeeper Hugo Arneveld wasn’t very good, including slipping two shots under the pad and into the net, but his teammates allowed too many open looks in front of the net, which actually made him didn’t help.

An ugly game just got uglier. Defenseman Nick Purbicks backtracked deep into his own zone after Matt Duschane lunged through the right circle, giving Duschane too much cushion as he gave Nashville a 4-0 lead. I found you. There was no one near Tanner Jeannot to block his redirect from in front of the net on a power play early in the third period, and Zach Sanford’s area code didn’t find a Lightning skater. There was no period.

“In the game, you can see it in person,” Purvix told reporters in Nashville. no conversation can replace it, there is no better way to learn.”

Perseverance rewards Hagel

The big question going into this season will be whether forward Brandon Hegel can establish a top-six role and regain the scoring touch that gave him 21 goals in 55 games in Chicago before coming to Tampa Bay. , was skating alongside Patrick Kane for the Blackhawks, so he can definitely play on the scoring line. But he creates offense with the hustle and scoring chances with the stick.

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The question is whether he can finish, and in the first period on Friday he made two shorthanded breakaways, neither of which he could convert. He put away the rebound so he scored the Lightning’s only goal in the third. If he wants to become the Lightning’s leading scorer, he’ll need to seize the opportunity. He shot 22.3% last year in Chicago, but only 12.9% in the Lightning and 4.9% in the postseason.

Few bubble players jump off the page

Syracuse camp is set to start on Monday, and the Lightning’s camp roster will be slashed this weekend. Some players expected to compete for the final spot could enter minor league training camp sooner than expected. Not many players stood out in his first three games. And with only two preseason games left, there aren’t many chances left.

Cole Koepke has done nothing to hurt his case and has shown flexibility by playing in both special teams units, so he seems to be a prime contender for a roster spot. One player you might be considering is forward Jemel Smith, known as a Lightning commodity after playing eight games in a Tampa Bay sweater. On Friday, Smith was one of the best players on the ice and scored a goal for Hegel.

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