An injury to Andrei Vasilevskiy created one of the biggest storylines league-wide to open the 2023-24 NHL season. The Tampa Bay Lightning lost their starting goaltender for at least the first two months of the season. In addition, their backup only had 35 games of experience heading into the season. While there have been glaring issues to start, there’s been a lot to be happy about for Lightning fans.
Three Early Tampa Bay Lightning Positives
Jonas Johansson Holding the Fort Down
Lightning fans were not ecstatic about Jonas Johansson being the starting goaltender for at least the first two months of the season. However, Johansson has been an excellent backstop to start the season. Johansson has a .925 save percentage and a 2.48 goals-against average at 5v5. Furthermore, he has a .896 save percentage against high-danger chances at 5v5, good enough for 13th best amongst goalies with over 100 minutes played.
Outside of the base numbers, Johansson is performing well in the analytics department. According to Evolving-Hockey’s expected goals model, Johansson stopped 3.88 goals above expected (3.88 GSAx), 6th best amongst all goaltenders at 5v5 this year. Last Word on Hockey’s Kyle Pereira discovered Johansson has trouble facing deflected shots. However, this season, Johansson has allowed three goals on 2.5 expected when facing 27 deflected shots. Despite the Lightning defence leaving him out to dry, Johansson has been a massive success story to open the season.
Brandon Hagel: Point Per Game Player
Another positive for the Lightning has been the stellar play of Brandon Hagel. The workhorse winger has eight points in eight games to start the season. In addition, all eight of his points are primary, plus 75% of them are at 5v5. Hagel is the definition of a “gamer” in my eyes. His work ethic and attitude towards the game set a tone for the entire locker room.
Heading over to the data room, Hagel’s 24 completed passes through the first two games of the season rank second amongst Tampa Bay forwards. Additionally, he completed three high-danger passes and set up four direct scoring chances at 5v5. Hagel uses his speed in transition to attack his opponents. He is an absolute nightmare to play against. The 8-year, $52 million extension he signed over the summer looks like a bargain.
Special Teams Masterclass
While the power play has always been a strong suit of the Lightning, the penalty kill has experienced massive regression in the previous seasons. However, this season the Lightning penalty kill is operating at 94.7%, tied for second-best in the league. New faces such as Luke Glendening and Waltteri Merela have left a positive impact on the shorthanded play. The Lightning allowed a single goal during their 32 minutes a man down this season.
On the offensive side, the power play is firing on all cylinders for the Lightning. The power play is operating at a 32.1% success rate, tied for fourth-best in the league. In particular, the top unit is on an absolute heater. Nikita Kucherov is blasting one-timers past goaltenders left and right. Furthermore, Nick Paul is cashing in on a golden opportunity as the net front guy. The Lightning scored nine power-play goals in their first eight games. The team ranks seventh with 25 high-danger scoring chances on the man advantage.
Future Outlook
With a 4-2-2 record to start the season, the Lightning hold the last wild card spot in the Eastern Conference. The team hosts the struggling Seattle Kraken on Monday night to cap off the home stretch of games. The overall team play has only improved since game one for the Lightning. After the long off-season, the club is finally getting back into the swing of things. The Tampa Bay Lightning have lots of positives to start the season. With new line combinations featuring Alex Barré-Boulet on the top line, the team has shown a positive direction moving forward.
Main Photo Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports
