Thilbault, Rangers Shock Lightning

With Mike Dunham still in bed with a mysterious illness Jocelyn Thilbault got the start in goal and defeated several demons at once. The first was the Tampa Bay Lightning - a team that gave up on him and then lit him up in their last meeting. Thilbault was strong all game long and looked particuarly good on close in chances by Williams, Hejduk, and the ageless Mario Lemieux. The second second were his doubters and his crtics as he was solid all game long and beat the young star goalie he was traded for. Both goalies recieved 31 shots but Thilbault was one save better for the 3-2 win.

The Rangers came out in their home building with something to prove. Even though their record has been good lately their play has been inconsistent and their vaunted defence leaky. Fans sensed something was different on the first goal when Pavel Bure faked a shot and acutally dished off the puck. Lehtonen was playing shot all the way and the Rangers Brad Lukowich dumped the puck into the yawning cage.

"How was I supposed to know he was going to pass?" muttered Lehtonen after the game. "I haven't seen him pass all year!"

The Lightining took control of the peirod and then the game in the second as they edged the Rangers in shots but Thilbault slammed the door.

In the third period it was none other than Taylor Pyatt who came to the rescue once again. Two nifty passes in the third set up goals by Dvorak and Ponikarovsky and sealed the win for the Rangers.

"We're really happy to get the win," said an elated Jason Blake after the game. "The Lightning are still one of the best teams in the league and have been steam rolling teams for quite some time now. We felt we had a point to prove to ourselves and the league and we really wanted the win."

"I was so happy to be in net," said Thilbault after the game. "I just wanted to show what I can do and fortunately things went my way."

The Rangers face another huge challenge as they face the Islanders tomorrow night.

"Everyone in the dressing room believes we can do it again," said Rick Nash.

Speculation is that Thilbault will get his second straight start as Dunham recovers from food poisoning.