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Lightning pull Lindback early in second period

Anders Lindback, Rene Bourque ,

Montreal Canadiens’ Rene Bourque, left, scores against Tampa Bay Lightning’s goalie Anders Lindback during first period of the first round NHL Stanley Cup playoff game in Montreal, Sunday, April 20, 2014. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Graham Hughes)

AP

The Tampa Bay Lightning gave up a significant package to get Anders Lindback from the Nashville Predators. Maybe that cost will make them more likely to bring the big goalie back, but if not, there’s at least a chance that he ended his Tampa Bay days with a whimper.

Of course, there are a lot of different things that could happen,* but that’s the feeling as he was pulled early in the second period for Kristers Gudlevskis. (Lightning fans who need a little comic relief should check out Gudlevskis’ photo at NHL.com.)

Lindback, 25, has actually had his moments in this series. And let’s be honest: blaming everything on him is pretty unfair considering his team’s often poor play in front of him; the Canadiens already fired 20 shots on him by the time he was pulled after letting in three.

Still, Lindback’s stay with the Lightning has almost wholly been disappointing. He’s an RFA this summer, so the Lightning could probably sign him cheaply. If they even want to bring him back.

* - The Lightning could easily come back and stay in the series, thus giving Lindback another shot to redeem himself. Still, the mood feels otherwise as of this writing.

Follow James O’Brien @cyclelikesedins