New York Rangers 2 - Tampa Lightning 1

The first game of the new NHL season is over and the Tampa Lightning's young defense served up more turnovers than your local bakeshop.

Mike Smith making his debut as the Lightning's Number One netminder faced 41 shots and turned aside all but two, as his inexperienced defense left him hanging out alone on more than one occasion.

Perhaps he should have stopped Naslund's goal. But, it was his inexperience that allowed Naslund to score using his favorite scoring trick, a shot to the stick side, about 18" off the ice. Next time Smith will probably get that one.

The Rangers's second goal came from a screened shot by Dubinsky. Again a rookie mistake caused a Bolts' defenseman to move into the shooting lane and block his goalie's vision.

But before you think that the defeat was all the fault of the defense, the Lightning forwards seemed to lose their legs in the second period, giving the Rangers plenty of opportunity to pressure the young Tampa defense.

Martin St. Louis scored a nice goal on a backhand high over the Lundqvist in the Rangers net.

Despite all the turnovers and sloppy play there were many bright spots for the Bolts and with a little hard work and patience from the coaching staff, this Tampa team is a playoff team.

ICE CHIPS
Rookie sensation Steven Stamkos did not look out place. In fact, he had two brilliant scoring chances, one on a partial breakaway late in the game. Defensively he was not a liability especially late in the game when it looked like Naslund might make it 3-1, Stamkos moved quickly to bodycheck the Rangers' veteran off the puck just a few feet from the crease.