Episode 91 - Final Charge to the Top - With Lightning TV Analyst Brian Engblom

When a team is hot, the last thing they want to do is stop playing. When the Olympic break arrived, the Tampa Bay Lightning were on a 19-1-1 heater. However, after winning the first game back from the break, the club has gone 1-6-0 since. Longtime TV Lightning TV analyst Brian Engblom joins Neil and Vic to do a deeper dive into the recent play, battling through injuries and how head coach Jon Cooper plans to have the team where they need to be when the post-season opens in less than six weeks.

In Three Things You Need to Pay Attention To, Who wants to be in the playoffs? Teams are both conferences are making their cases...some better than others.

Also, Connor Bedard has been given the "A" in Chicago with team captain Nick Foligno dealt to Minnesota and alternate captain Jason Dickinson now in Edmonton. The hosts discuss the what should be most important when naming a captain in the NHL.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[03:08] - Three Things You Need to Pay Attention To.

[15:32] - Brian Engblom joins Neil and Vic and jump right into the recent struggles the Lightning have had since the second game coming out of the Olympic break. Oddly, getting healthier has played a part in the downturn in play according to Brian.

[23:30] - Neil adds in on several of Brian's points, having been a defenseman himself. A query on Jake Guentzel's productivity follows.

[27:22] - With two Stanley Cup rings, could this be Jon Cooper's best coaching job with the Lightning given the rash of injuries he's had to navigate through? Brian offers up what he sees as some of Cooper's best attributes in how he assesses teams and personalities.

[33:51] - Brian goes deep into discussion on one of the most compelling personalities and talents in the NHL, Nikita Kucherov.

[40:42] - Neil circles back to Cooper, never a Coach of the Year but certainly among great company - with a little trivia question dropped in.

[43:42] - Some thoughts on the re-acquisition of Corey Perry by the Lightning.

[48:17] - Despite the recent slide, the Lightning record remains strong. Still, there's a team in Buffalo which is pushing for tops in the Atlantic and two recent head-to-head matchups with the Sabres have been revealing for Cooper's charges.

[55:45] - Putting a wrap on the discussion with Brian Engblom.

[58:04] - With Connor Bedard becoming an alternate captain in Chicago with captain Nick Foligno having been dealt to Minnesota and alternates Connor Murphy and Jason Dickinson now in Edmonton, how long will it be before number 98 gets the "C"? To that end, does every team need a captain and what does that title require both on the ice and away from the rink which fans don't see?

[1:04:13] - The Maple Leafs are having an off year. It's not hard to see. But when Matthew Knies says "we'll be back better and stronger than ever," does he realize how low that bar really is?

[1:07:10] - On a two-game schedule Wednesday, is it possible the Canadiens Senators matchup is the most significant regular season game between the clubs since the Senators rejoined the NHL in 1992?

[1:08:29] - Personnel notes.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

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