• HOME
  • NHL Teams
    • North Division
      • Calgary Flames
      • Edmonton Oilers
      • Montreal Canadiens
      • Ottawa Senators
      • Toronto Maple Leafs
      • Vancouver Canucks
      • Winnipeg Jets
    • East Division
      • Boston Bruins
      • Buffalo Sabres
      • New Jersey Devils
      • New York Islanders
      • New York Rangers
      • Philadelphia Flyers
      • Pittsburgh Penguins
      • Washington Capitals
    • Central Division
      • Carolina Hurricanes
      • Chicago Blackhawks
      • Columbus Blue Jackets
      • Dallas Stars
      • Detroit Red Wings
      • Florida Panthers
      • Nashville Predators
      • Tampa Bay Lightning
    • West Division
      • Anaheim Ducks
      • Arizona Coyotes
      • Colorado Avalanche
      • Los Angeles Kings
      • Minnesota Wild
      • San Jose Sharks
      • Seattle Kraken
      • St. Louis Blues
      • Vegas Golden Knights
  • Headlines
  • NHL Rumors
  • NHL Prospects
  • World Juniors
  • Archives
  • Podcast Network
  • More…
    • CHL
      • Ontario Hockey League
      • Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
      • Western Hockey League
    • Columns
    • Women’s Hockey
    • Other Leagues
    • NHL Entry Draft
    • Books
    • NHL History
  • Log in
The Hockey Writers
  • Site Index
  • NHL Salary Caps
  • Hockey 101: A Beginner’s Guide
  • Join Our Team
  • Free Newsletter
  • Store
  • Log in
The Hockey Writers
  • HOME
  • NHL Teams
    • North Division
      • Calgary Flames
      • Edmonton Oilers
      • Montreal Canadiens
      • Ottawa Senators
      • Toronto Maple Leafs
      • Vancouver Canucks
      • Winnipeg Jets
    • East Division
      • Boston Bruins
      • Buffalo Sabres
      • New Jersey Devils
      • New York Islanders
      • New York Rangers
      • Philadelphia Flyers
      • Pittsburgh Penguins
      • Washington Capitals
    • Central Division
      • Carolina Hurricanes
      • Chicago Blackhawks
      • Columbus Blue Jackets
      • Dallas Stars
      • Detroit Red Wings
      • Florida Panthers
      • Nashville Predators
      • Tampa Bay Lightning
    • West Division
      • Anaheim Ducks
      • Arizona Coyotes
      • Colorado Avalanche
      • Los Angeles Kings
      • Minnesota Wild
      • San Jose Sharks
      • Seattle Kraken
      • St. Louis Blues
      • Vegas Golden Knights
  • Headlines
  • NHL Rumors
  • NHL Prospects
  • World Juniors
  • Archives
  • Podcast Network
  • More…
    • CHL
      • Ontario Hockey League
      • Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
      • Western Hockey League
    • Columns
    • Women’s Hockey
    • Other Leagues
    • NHL Entry Draft
    • Books
    • NHL History
Home
Previews and Predictions

Is Anders Lindback the Answer in Goal for the Lightning?

By Santino Fasulo January 9th, 2013

Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp
Anders Lindback Lightning goalie NHL

Anders Lindback (BridgetDS)

After a strong playoff run in 2010-2011 that saw the Tampa Bay Lightning lose to the Boston Bruins in the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals, the team took a step back by not making the playoffs in the 2011-2012 season. While the casual observer will look at the goal tending as the Lightning’s biggest issue, there are several factors that played into the team’s lack of success. Finishing a league worst 30th in Goals Against certainly won’t help win any games, but Special Teams were also a huge area of concern as the Lightning finished 25th and 26th on the PP and PK respectively.

GM Steve Yzermen has addressed several areas in the off season by adding some key pieces to the puzzle. Goaltender Anders Lindback,  D-Men Matt Carle & Sami Salo, as well as winger Benoit Pouliot highlight the list. However, there is no doubting that the most important addition of the group is going to the former Predator’s backup goalie. Drafted in the 7th round by the Predators in 2008, the 6 foot 6 goalie came into the NHL in 2010-2011. He has since served as the backup to Star goaltender Pekka Rinne, and will now look to establish himself as a legitimate #1 Goalie in the Eastern Conference.

After playing in only 16 games with the Preds last season, the hulking netminder is looking to capitalize on a great opportunity. He will be given every chance to win the starting job out of camp and seems poised to do just that. In his 38 career games played, Lindback has 16wins & 13 losses, to go along with a .252 Goals Against Average, and a .914 Save Percentage. He has also posted 2 career shutouts. On paper these numbers seem like a big upgrade to former bolts starter Mathieu Garon. In 48 games played during the 2011-2012 season the 34 year old netminder had 23 wins, to go along with a 2.85 GAA and .901 Save Percentage, with 1 shutout.

The added depth on defense should also help the goaltending situation in Tampa, however nobody is mistaking either Salo or Carle as defensive stalwarts. In order for the Defensive unit to help make life easier for their goaltender, the Lightning will need strong performances from their top 2 D-men Victor Hedmen and Eric Brewer. Hedmen seems ready to go back to work judging by his latest tweet below.

 

https://twitter.com/heds77/status/288825443153494016

 

While it seems as though the 2003-2004 Stanley Cup Champions are ready to get back into contention, only time will tell. It may be difficult for the club to gel, and for their goalie to excel in a shortened 48 game season. However if Lindback could get hot early, that alone may be enough to propel the Lightning back into playoff contention.

  • Tags
  • Anders Lindback
  • Steve Yzerman
  • Victor Hedman
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp

Get theScore App Now!
Recent Posts
Jan 25th 1:10 PM
Edmonton Oilers

Oilers Weekly Preview: Jets, Leafs & Senators Each Offer Unique Challenges

Jan 25th 12:05 PM
Boston Bruins

Bruins’ Offense Takes a Step Forward in the Right Direction

Jan 25th 11:55 AM
NHL Rumors

NHL Rumors: Maple Leafs, Flyers, Canucks, Jets Drove Laine Out, More

Jan 25th 11:35 AM
Washington Capitals

Capitals’ Vanecek Playing His Way Into Samsonov’s Starting Role

Jan 25th 11:25 AM
All-Star Weekend

5 Oilers You Didn’t Know Were All-Stars

Jan 25th 11:15 AM
Column

Wild Weekly: A Pair of Series Splits Against Ducks & Sharks

Jan 25th 11:05 AM
Toronto Maple Leafs

3 Marlies Players to Watch This Season

Jan 25th 10:45 AM
New York Rangers

Rangers Facing Conundrum With DeAngelo

Jan 25th 10:35 AM
College Hockey

College Hockey Report: Shootouts Highlighted the Weekend Action

Jan 25th 10:25 AM
Anaheim Ducks

3 Takeaways From Ducks’ Series Against the Avalanche

Editor’s Picks
2021 NHL Draft Rankings: Baracchini's Top 75 Rankings

2021 NHL Draft Rankings: Baracchini's Top 75 Rankings

Wayne Gretzky Almost Joined the Detroit Red Wings

Wayne Gretzky Almost Joined the Detroit Red Wings

Masthead

Newsletters

RSS Feeds

Privacy Statement

Contact Us

About THW…

Founded in 2009, The Hockey Writers is a premier destination for news and information on everything hockey. Updated daily with news and features from over 130 writers worldwide. Over 2 million monthly readers now come to THW for their hockey fix.

© The Hockey Writers 2020. All rights reserved.
logo
  • HOME
  • Hockey Headlines
  • NHL Rumors
  • North Division
    • Calgary Flames
    • Edmonton Oilers
    • Montreal Canadiens
    • Ottawa Senators
    • Toronto Maple Leafs
    • Vancouver Canucks
    • Winnipeg Jets
  • East Division
    • Boston Bruins
    • Buffalo Sabres
    • New Jersey Devils
    • New York Islanders
    • New York Rangers
    • Philadelphia Flyers
    • Pittsburgh Penguins
    • Washington Capitals
  • Central Division
    • Carolina Hurricanes
    • Chicago Blackhawks
    • Columbus Blue Jackets
    • Dallas Stars
    • Detroit Red Wings
    • Florida Panthers
    • Nashville Predators
    • Tampa Bay Lightning
  • West Division
    • Anaheim Ducks
    • Arizona Coyotes
    • Colorado Avalanche
    • Los Angeles Kings
    • Minnesota Wild
    • San Jose Sharks
    • Seattle Kraken
    • St Louis Blues
    • Vegas Golden Knights
  • World Juniors
  • CHL
    • Ontario Hockey League
    • Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
    • Western Hockey League
  • THW Podcast Network
  • Store
  • FREE Newsletter
  • Search THW
  • More…
    • Join Our Team
    • The THW Archives
    • Prospects
    • The Goalie Page
    • NHL Salary Cap Information