Daily Charge
A bit of lineup intrigue following Lightning morning skate
by Erik Erlendsson | 
@Erik_Erlendsson | 
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March 11, 2017
TAMPA, Fla. – Some sense of intrigue around Amalie Arena this morning.
First, the Florida Panthers were nowhere around the rink after they experienced travel issues trying to get to Tampa following last night’s game at BB&T Center against the Minnesota Wild. So the Panthers left Ft. Lauderdale this morning at 10:30 and did not come to the rink, which means there was no lineup updates for the Panthers, who gave up seven goals (two empty net goals) against the Wild with James Reimer in net. With Roberto Luongo out, Reto Berra is the backup goaltender.
But what about the Lightning lineup? Could Steven Stamkos actually play?
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Tampa Bay head coach Jon Cooper ruled out any of the three centers who were injured in Thursday’s game against Minnesota – Tyler Johnson, Vladislav Namestnikov and Cedric Paquette – for tonight’s game.
Matthew Peca was called up from Syracuse of the American Hockey League and, provided he arrives in time, is expected to be in the lineup when the puck drops (7 p.m., Fox Sports Sun, 970-AM, tblpowerplay.com)
There was a bit of positive news as Namestnikov was on the ice prior to the scheduled morning skate, working with Steven Stamkos for about an hour.
Stamkos then remained on the ice for the optional morning skate, taking part in a grey jersey while the remaining forwards were all wearing blue. But it was intriguing that Stamkos was wearing black pants, which the Lightning use for Saturday night games when wearing the alternate jerseys.
Now, that doesn’t necessarily mean anything, but interesting nonetheless to keep an eye on as we get close to warmups.
Here’s what Cooper had to say about the injury situation when I asked if the situation was maybe more encouraging than first feared after Thursday’s game:
”They are all out so I don’t know how encouraging it is,’’ he said. “I can’t sit here and say whether they will miss games moving forward, but this is a big one tonight so guys are going to have to step up.’’
One of those who the team would like to see step up is Greg McKegg, who was claimed off of waivers from the Florida Panthers on Feb. 27. McKegg has appeared in just two games since then and has been a healthy scratch the past three games.
With all the injuries up front, McKegg gets the chance to be in the lineup against his former team.
”There is definitely something there, facing the team you played for and I was there just a couple of weeks ago,’’ McKegg said. “Definitely some familiar faces and it should be fun.’’
McKegg said it’s been a bit of a whirlwind since he was picked up by the Lightning and it’s been an adjustment to his new surroundings, but with his chance to get back in the lineup, he’s looking to take advantage of the opportunity.
”For me it’s just an opportunity to come in and try to help the team any way I can,’’ McKegg said. “There a few things that are a little different after coming from a different team, but the coaching staff has been great in helping me out with that, so have the guys, so it’s been good so far and I’m happy to be there.”
In the two games McKegg has appeared in he has averaged just over eight minutes per game and is a minus-1.
”I just want to chip in any way, any help I can offer the team and be an energy player,’’ he said. “I need to play well defensively and chip in offensively any way that I can.’’
Jon Cooper’s morning skate session with the media
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