The view from Tampa Bay

Tampa Bay Times

J.T. Brown one of many impacted by pioneer Willie O’Ree

“That’s why it’s so special – and fitting – to see O’Ree, 81, drop the ceremonial puck today on Martin Luther King Day. Brown, who is not playing due to an upper body injury, hoped to catch up with him.”

Lightning, minus Hedman, opens critical road trip with win over Kings

“But the game was won with will as much as skill. The Lightning racked up a season-high 41 hits and 20 blocked shots. Defenseman Luke Witkowski set the tone with his opening-minute hit and fight with Kyle Clifford. And everyone else followed suit…”

TBO.com

Hedman scratched late, but Lightning hold off Kings 2-1

“Both teams played without stars due to illness. Kings captain Anze Kopitar missed his first game since Nov. 20, while Hedman missed his first game of the season despite participating in warmups.”

Tampa Bay Lightning Insider

Burns: 3 Things we learned from a rare win in L.A.

“Coming into Monday’s matinee, Tampa Bay had lost four in a row in the City of Angels. The Lightning, in fact, hadn’t defeated the Kings in L.A. since the 2008-09 season, when Mike Smith turned in a 29-save performance and Mark Recchi netted the game-winning goal late in the first period for the Bolts last win.”

SB Nation – Raw Charge

Lightning grit out 2-1 win over Kings

“By necessity, the Lightning have been trying on different personas to help deal with an injury-ravaged roster and stay relevant in the pursuit of the postseason. Monday, they gave good old-fashioned “grit” a try, something with which the skill-oriented Bolts aren’t automatically familiar.”

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