Denis in net tonight

No one knew for sure because coach John Tortorella decided this afternoon (after a bunch of TV people were hanging out in front of the door of the room in which the Lightning was meeting) that he wasn't going to speak to the media, but Marc Denis will be in net against the Red Wings.

Denis was in a tough spot Wednesday night, coming in to start the third period in a game in which his teammates were playing like a junior team. But he made a couple very tough saves. He also let in one easy one. So we'll see what happens in his first start since Nov. 1.

 

Wilson: team won't be shopped

Lightning CEO Tom Wilson believes it was the right thing to do to speak out about the direction of the franchise now that Absolute Hockey Enterprises proposed $200-million deal to buy the team has fallen through. Wilson said fan nervousness is "understandable'' but that it will be business as usual as long as the team remains the property of Palace Sports & Entertainment.

Wilson said Tuesday he has "some degree of optimism'' Absolute Hockey's main players -- Jeff Sherrin and Doug MacLean are suing Oren Koules -- can resolve their differences and resurrect the proposed purchase that also included the St. Pete Times Forum lease and 5.5 acres of land near the stadium. If they cannot, he said the team will not be shopped.

"We're not hiring a broker to see who might have interest in the Tampa Bay Lightning,'' Wilson said. But he added that any offers that "fall from the sky'' will be considered.

"And that's consistent to where we were five years ago,'' Wilson said. "Until this isn't our club, this is our club. We have certain standards we want to hold to. We want to win. we want to be as good as we can be. If we're still there, we're as committed as we were.''

That means, Wilson said, no slash and burn tactics with personnel or payroll.

Wilson talked of other things, as well. He denied, for example, that Palace Sports ever went behind Sherrin's and MacLean's back to forge a relationship with Koules. And Tom Scarritt, the attorney for Sherrin and MacLean reiterated they did. It's all part of a long soap opera that is about to unfold.

There will be more in tomorrow's paper.

But as Lightning center Chris Gratton said Tuesday, "Most players are just like, 'Tell me when it's over.' ''

 

Khabibulin will play ... we think

Remember the 2005-06 season when the Blackhawks came to town and all the fanfare about Nikolai Khabibulin facing his former teammates for the first time since leaving as a free agent after the 2004 Cup season? Remember how Khabibulin convinced then-coach Trent Yawney to let him sit out the game because the atmosphere would be too much of a distraction?

Pretty disappointing at the time, and kind of hard to figure. Why wouldn't Nik want to show his former employers they made a mistake in not signing him?

He gets that chance Wednesday when the Lightning visits the Blackhawks at the United Center. Reporters who cover the team said Nik is scheduled to play but because, as one said, "He's been surly lately,'' they had not spoken to him about facing his former team.

Really, though, after three years, does it really matter? Chicago reporters were much more interested Tuesday with the return to the lineup of Martin Havlat. As another said when asked if he had spoken to Nik about facing the Lightning: "I hadn't even thought about it till you mentioned it.'' 

 

Craig out indefinitely with two knee injuries

Lightning center Ryan Craig is out indefinitely with a partially torn anterior cruciate ligament and a sprained medial collateral ligament in his left knee. General manager Jay Feaster said "at this point no decision has been made as to whether he will require surgery.''

It is the continuation of a terrible year for Craig, who was awarded $850,000 in arbitration but sustained a herniated disc during training camp and did not play an NHL game until Nov. 10. In seven games he had one goal, one assist, but was a valuable checker who could play on any  line.   

Deal to buy Lightning dead

By DAMIAN CRISTODERO
Times Staff Writer

The $200-million deal Absolute Hockey Enterprises was hoping to put together to buy the Lightning from Palace Sports & Entertainment is dead.

Palace Sports terminated the purchase agreement on Nov. 14, when Absolute Hockey did not come up with a scheduled $5-million payment. Now the investment group has splintered as the companies and partnerships owned by Coral Springs real estate developer Jeff Sherrin and former Blue Jackets president Doug MacLean are suing Hollywood producer Oren Koules for allegedly failing to make a capital contribution of $4.17-million which was to be part of the $5-million payment due Nov. 12. It also claims Koules went behind Sherrin's and MacLean's backs to make his own arrangements with Palace Sports.

The lawsuit seeks $50-million in damages. Filed in the 13th judicial circuit in Hillsborough County, it is peppered with words such as "fraud'' and "unfair and deceptive trade practices'' and "civil conspiracy.''

The other known members of the investment group are Mark Burg, Koules’ business partner, and Tampa attorney Steve Burton.

"I heard what's going on,'' Burton said. "I hope they can work it out.''

While the deal as originally announced with much fanfare in a news conference on Aug. 7 at the St. Pete Times Forum is no longer valid, don’t be surprised if a deal is resurrected at a later date with Koules or a group led by him.

Koules has a minor league hockey background and always expressed his interest most fervently. He said shortly after the sale was announced that he already had depth charts on his desk in Los Angeles. And Tom Scarritt, the Tampa attorney for Sherrin and MacLean, said he believes Koules is still in "conversations'' with Palace Sports.

But no deal will happen quickly. The justice system is slow enough. Now, an entirely new deal may have to be developed. According to Scarritt, Koules was responsible for providing $50-million cash of the $60-million the group had accumulated and had seen his projected onwership stake rise from 30 to 70 percent. He also was to be the point man to secure the loans to to complete the purchase.

Additionally, Palace Sports was going to give Absolute Hockey $30-million in "seller financing.'' to help get the deal done. In the letter from John O'Reilly, Palace Sports' chief financial officer, to Absolute Hockey that squashed the deal, O'Reilly wrote of his company's "unprecedented cooperation and assistance to the Purchasers.''

Said Palace Sports in a prepared statement: "While there is no current agreement in place to sell the team, PS&E is hopeful that those differences can still be resolved and a successful ownership transfer can take place. As it has since purchasing the team in 1999, PS&E will remain 100 percent committed to the best interest of the Lightning, it's fans and the entire Tampa Bay community, while continuing to operate the team and the St. Pete Times Forum in a first-class manner.''

The NHL, through spokesman Frank Brown, declined comment.

Who knows what will happen to the other partners?

Burg, who has said he recently doubled his stake in Absolte Hockey, also has said he was in it only because of Koules. Burton is a minority investor.

The bombshell is another twist in a process that has been anything but smooth. At the news conference announcing the original sale of the team, the St. Pete Times Forum lease and 5½ acres of adjacent land, the group said it would announce the rest of the investment group soon after.

But names were difficult to come by, and while Berg and Burton were brought on board (and revealed only after pressure from the Times), MacLean always maintained at least one other investor had yet to be named.

Absolute Hockey said repeatedly it hoped to close the deal by the end of November. There also was a Dec. 31 deadline in the purchase agreement to finalize the transaction.

It was not going to be an easy process in any situation.

Before the sale could close, the NHL's Board of Governors had to approve the transfer of ownership. If done at a Board of Governors meeting, 23 of the 30 teams would have to sign off. If it was done between meetings, by fax, 30 of 30 needed to agree; the unanimous vote because when not in the same room, governors cannot make arguments for or against.

But when the deal did not make it onto the agenda of Board of Governor’s meeting Wednesday and Thursday in Pebble Beach, Calif., it was obvious the deal was not progressing as quickly as hoped.

Staff writers James Thorner and Jonathan Milton contributed to this report.

            

Torts: Shut up about refs

Coach John Tortorella said after Monday's practice at the St. Pete Times Forum that he wants all the talk about referees to stop. That includes himself.

It's been a tough few days between the team and the on-ice officials. Torts was fined $10,000 last week for disparaging remarks about the refs after a 4-3 overtime loss to the Thrashers. Players have asked for the standard on penalties to be more consistently applied, and players questioned calls during an 0-3-1 streak.

Torts said he doesn't want to hear it anymore.

"I do not want to hear any more from organizational, players, coaches, trainers, anybody about officials,'' he said. "That isn't what this is about. That's not how you win hockey games. We need to stop that.''

The message seemed to sink in as a couple players begged off when asked about officiating.

More in tomorrow's paper.

Just to clear up one thing about video reviews: The only thing the people in Toronto are reviewing is whether the puck went across the line and time on the clock. Other than that, it's the ref's call. So, as I was told, they never ruled on whether the Rangers' Brendan Shanahan covered the puck in the crease. That is not in the mandate. Nor do they rule on whether someone dislodges a net on purpose. It's all called on the ice.

 

No word yet on Ryan Craig

The MRI test on the forward's knee did not happen until Monday, as opposed to Sunday as was originally stated by the team, so the results have not yet been announced. Still, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure the team believes, and probably already suspects, things are not good since they called up Craig MacDonald from AHL Norfolk.

Lightning recalls MacDonald

The Lightning have recalled center Craig MacDonald from the Norfolk Admirals of the American Hockey League, Executive Vice President and General Manager Jay Feaster announced in a news release.

MacDonald, a 6-foot-1, 201-pound native of Antigonish, Nova Scotia, skated in 14 games with the Lightning this season and recorded one assist before being assigned to Norfolk on November 13.  In seven games with the Admirals he recorded three goals, eight assists and eight penalty minutes as the team posted a 4-2-1 record.

(Times photo - Dirk Shadd. Click to enlarge.)

Craig injured

Lightning forward Ryan Craig left tonight's game late in the first period with a left knee injury and will not return, the team announced.

Craig played just 3:10 in the first period, playing on Chris Gratton's third line along with Mathieu Darche. He left the last of his five shifts 28 seconds 17:09 into the first period.

Craig missed the first 16 games recovering from a back injury. Last year he was slowed by a knee injury.

The Lightning is already without defenseman Filip Kuba, who was scratched from tonight's game with an abdominal injury after skating 28 minutes in two of his last three games.

No Reason for worry

The Lightning played well enough in its past two games, but came out snakebitten in the end, suffering a pair of head-scratching losses in large part to some controversial officiating.

But Lightning coach John Tortorella isn't worried about morale, saying he will keeping everything as close to normal tonight against the Hurricanes here in Raleigh.

Marty St. Louis agreed.

"We lost a game," St. Louis said after today's morning skate. "We didn't get beat."

He will make one change. Jason Ward, a healthy scratch Wednesday, will return to the lineup tonight and play center on Tampa Bay's fourth line alongside Andre Roy and Nick Tarnasky. Andreas Karlsson will sit.

Also, Hurricane forward Erik Cole will return tonight from a scary neck injury that cost him four man games.

Vinny or Sidney?

I'm taking a few days off for Thanksgiving, so I thought I'd leave you with this to debate:

Former Devils coach Pat Burns and former Red Wings coach Scotty Bowman both came out recently and said Vinny Lecavalier is the best player in the game right now. Burns went out of his way to say that is nothing against Sidney Crosby. So that got me to wondering who fans believe is No. 1.

Right now, I agree with the coaches that it's Vinny. I know that is going to seem like a homer pick, but my one criteria doesn't go as much to skill level, because both are enormously skilled. My criteria goes to simple maturity and strength.

I just think right now Vinny is stronger on the puck. He has learned over the years to use his big body to shield the puck. He just sticks his butt out and pushes defenders away. You just don't see that overall strength yet from Sidney. Vinny is used in all situations. He plays fewer minutes than teammates Brad Richards and Marty St. Louis, but Lecavalier's minutes might be harder because of all the people that are all over him.

So that's my vote. Curious what you guys think.   

Tortorella fined $10,000

Lightning coach John Tortorella's disparaging comments about league officiating following the Tampa Bay's 4-3 overtime loss to the Atlanta Monday night will cost him.

Tortorella was fined $10,000 by the league today for blasting league on-ice officials after some questionable calls hurt his team Monday night. The coach reached a boiling point after his team blew a 3-1 lead and a phantom holding penalty on Brad Richards in overtime led to Atlanta's game-winning goal.   

"The frustrating part for me is these organizations pay the players millions upon millions of dollars," Tortorella said. "They're the ones who need to decide outcomes of games.

"Listen, I'm trying to stay away from criticizing as far as the calls, but (expletive) that. I just don't get it. And it makes the coaching job that much harder, how you coach your players in playing when you get that (expletive) out there."

The ruling from league disciplinarian Colin Campbell came down within the half-hour after a day of pondering the seriousness of Tortorella's remarks.

Both call-ups to play tonight

Both Mathieu Darche and Dan Jancevski will play tonight against the Rangers, Lightning coach John Tortorella said after today's morning skate.

The Lightning had been playing with 20 players, meaning there were no scratches. While it still appears that the moves were made to increase competition, it might also be to safeguard against the bumps and bruises.

Defenseman Paul Ranger and forward Chris Gratton were held out of Tuesday's practice for what the team called "body maintenence." Ranger is the only players listed on the team's injury report, day-to-day with a shoulder injury.

However, it appears that Jason Ward will be a healthy scratch tonight. He participated in extended practice after the morning skate.

Darche, Jancevski called up

The team announced this morning that wing Mathieu Darche and defenseman Dan Jancevski were called up from AHL Norfolk. No word on any corresponding moves downward, but it's safe to assume Tampa Bay wants a little more offensive punch from it's third and fourth lines and Darche has been a dynamo with the Admirals. In four games since he was sent down, he has three goals and seven assists and was the AHL's player of the week last week. Jancevski has four assists and 14 PIM with Norfolk. A seventh defenseman will give the team more options on the blue line.

The team had been playing with a 20-man roster (a budgetary move), which meant no scratches and, as well, no competition from within for playing time.

Will Torts be fined?

Scuttlebutt around the league office today was that league disciplinarian Colin Campbell was "deliberating'' whether to fine coach John Tortorella for the disparaging remarks made about the officiating after Monday's 4-3 overtime loss to the Thrashers. Atlanta won on an overtime goal after Brad Richards was called for an absurd holding call on Tobias Enstrom. Richards did out his hand on Enstrom but replays showed he fell when the two tangled skates.

So Torts went off, as I'm sure you read in today's paper, and he really had a point. Perhaps that is why Campbell took the entire day to review the situation and apparently did not come to a decision.

As Tom Jones also will point out in his Page 2 rant tomorrow (and there will be a story on Lightning players asking for more consistency in calls) I'm with Torts on this one. We usually don't like whiners. But Torts backed his team when he called out the refs.

Good move. 

And you wonder why people hate the refs ...

Let's go back to the first game of the season. Paul Ranger and a Devils player skate to the corner to contest a puck. Before either reach the puck, they bump. The Devils player goes down and Ranger gets two minutes for interference.

Flash forward to Monday's game at Atlanta. A puck in the corner, Lightning defenseman Brad Lukowich is shouldered to the ice by Pascal Dupuis before either got near the puck. Penalty? Of course not. Dupuis gets the puck and the Thrashers end up scoring.

What is the standard? It seems to be whatever the refs decide on a given night and that is so unfair to the players. Look, Lukowich should not let Pascal Dupuis muscle him. He needs to be better than that. But if the same play is a penalty one night, it should be a penalty the next.

   

Dull trade, interesting ramifications

The Lightning and Stars swapped minor-league defensemen with Tampa Bay, sending Bryce Lampman Dallas for Mario Scalzo. The 5-foot-9, 190-pounder, 23, was in his third season with AHL Iowa had a goal and nine points and 10 penalty minutes in 15 games. He will report to Norfolk.

The trade helps the Admirals in a major respect. The recent demotions of Craig MacDonald and Mathieu Darche gave Norfolk seven players with at least 260 professional games: Lampman, Darche, MacDonald, Kyle Wanvig, Dan Jancevski, Karl Stewart and Norm Milley. Because the AHL does not allow teams to dress more than six players who have played at least 260 professional games (NHL, AHL or old IHL), one of the so called veterans had to be scratched in each game.

It is called the Development Rule, and it was instituted so the AHL could continue to build its reputation as a "developmental'' league focused on younger players. Scalzo has played 162 AHL games, meaning no more healthy scratches for the veterans.   

Lecavalier is NHL's First Star ... again

Vinny Lecavalier, for the second consecutive week, was named the NHL's first star for the week ending Sunday . He is the first Tampa Bay player to do the double and the league's first since Detroit's Henrik Zetterberg in February.

Lecavalier led the league with eight points on four goals and four assists in two games, including a career-high five points in Wednesday's victory over the Hurricanes. Lecavalier is riding a team-record seven consecutive multi-point games.

Sharks goalie Evgeni Nabokov was the second star (3-0-1 with a 0.96 goals against average and a .959 save percentage). Predators left wing Martin Erat (three goals, including two winners, and six points in three games) was the third star.

Now it's Lightning-Rangers in Prague

Talked to someone today who should know but asked not to be quoted because the plans of which he spoke are not finalized. But it seems the league has shifted gears concerning next season's European openers. The Lightning is still on track to play in Prague. But the league apparently is working on a matchup with the Rangers (mainly because of Czech native Jaromir Jagr).

The Penguins, who were going to face Tampa Bay, look as if they will face the Senators in Stockholm, Sweden.

Nothing is finalized but that is the way the league wants to go.    

Bryzgalov to Coyotes

Goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov was claimed by the Coyotes off waivers. That means it would not have mattered if the Lightning made a claim as Phoenix is farther down the standings than Tampa Bay and its claim would have been considered first. In other words, claims are considered in reverse order of the standings.

Bryzgalov on waivers

Not that this necessarily means anything to the Lightning, but it is worth noting the Ducks today put backup goalie Ilya Bryzgalov on waivers, according to the Orange County Register newspaper. They want to open the backup spot for highly touted Swiss goalie Jonas Hiller. This also gives Bryzgalov a chance to catch on with another team.

Bryzgalov, 27, has put up solid numbers the past two seasons (23-20-7 with goals-against averages of 2.51 and 2.47 and save percentages of .910 and .907) and has done well in the playoffs. But he has played just nine games this season as J.S. Giguere's backup with a 2.55 goals-against average and a .909 save percentage.

If Bryzgalov is unclaimed by noon Saturday, he will be assigned to AHL Portland, Maine. HIs contract is for $1.362-million, but he has about $900,000 remaining on it for this season, half of which would be paid by the Ducks if the goalie was claimed on recall waivers.

Bryzgalov has been linked to Tampa Bay in trade rumors, but the Lightning has not been in a position to make a trade, even if the rumors were true. There's also the matter of Marc Denis and his $2.8-million salary floating around in the minors (if another goalie was added). So lots to consider and it may mean nothing, but it certainly is interesting.

(AP photo. Click to enlarge.)

Lightning's top 10 players

The Hockey News asked writers from each of the league's 30 cities to come up with an all-time list of top-10 players for the teams they cover. After talking to several players, other media members and team administrators, this is the list in the current issue:

1. Vinny Lecavalier, C. One of NHL's most skilled, has been compared to Mario, Mikita.

2. Marty St. Louis, RW. Makes the most of his 5-foot-7 frame with speed skill and strong legs.

3. Brad Richards, C. Sees ice as well as anyone and can make pinpoint passes. Intense focus and desire.

4. Brian Bradley, C. Tampa Bay's first real star and 40-goal scorer.

5. Dave Andreychuk, LW. Recast himself as gritty faceoff specialist.

6. Rob Zamuner, LW. Defensive specialist scored in double figures.

7. Nikolai Khabibulin, G. Brilliant three-month run led to '04 Cup.

8. Roman Hamrlik, D. No. 1 pick in '92 had big shot, got his nose dirty.

9. Dan Boyle, D. Engine of team's power play and transition game.

10. Fredrik Modin, LW. Underrated, great defensively, big shot.

(Pictured: Vinny Lecavalier. Times photo - Dirk Shadd. Click to enlarge.)

Oh, my gosh!

Usually don't have time to do this on game nights, but had to shake my head at the way Vinny Lecavalier just took over that second period. Passing, defense and shooting ability, not to mention the way he shielded the puck and created room for himself by shouldering Carolina defeseman Tim Gleason on his breakaway goal. Vinny had four points (two goals, two assists) in the period. He added a third goal for a hat trick and has 29 points for the season, on 12 goals and 17 assists, which made him the league's top scorer.

Interesting, too, because he did nothing in the first period. Actually, no one did anything. But there he was in the second period, the best player on the ice, not by far but, like, on another planet. Wow. 

Just a heads up

From the way the morning skate went today, looks like John Grahame will be in net for the Hurricanes. Graham is 3-2-0 against Tampa Bay with a 2.85 goals-against average. Also speedy Erik Cole apparently will not play for Carolina because of the neck injury sustained against the Panthers.

Oh, and the game will be on Ch. 66 tonight. That's ION, formerly Pax.

Roster down to 20

The Lightning sent forwards Craig MacDonald and Mathieu Darche to AHL Norfolk. Both cleared waivers at noon today. Defenseman Matt Smaby also was sent down, leaving the Lightning with 20 players on the roster. That means no game-day scratches. It also lowered the projected payroll for the season to about $44.5-million. That is a lot closer to the $44-million budget the team set before the season. Tampa Bay began the season about $2-million over its budget because of injuries and personnel decisions.

As GM Jay Feaster said in today's paper: "We said all along we weren't going to carry 23 players. And I've consistently said to my bosses that once we get healthy, we would make difficult decisions.

Coach John Tortorella said he likes a smaller team anyway, and said he has no problem with a 20-player roster as Norfolk's players are only a short plane ride away if there are problems or injuries. And while Tortorella said no consideration was given to the plight of the Admirals who are struggling to find wins and goals, the moves certainly will bring them some depth.

   

Vinny 4 is the league's first star

Vinny Lecavalier was named the NHL's first star of the week:

Lecavalier tied for the League lead among scorers for the week with eight points (2-6-8) as the Lightning won three of four games. On Nov. 5, he notched two assists in a 4-3 loss to the Florida Panthers and followed that by recording one goal and one assist in the return match with Florida as Tampa won 3-1, Nov. 7. He recorded one goal and one assist in a 5-1 victory over the Carolina Hurricanes, Nov. 8, and finished the week with his fourth two-point game in a row by recording two assists in a 5-2 win over the Washington Capitals on Nov. 10. Lecavalier leads Tampa Bay and is tied for third in overall NHL scoring with 24 points (9-15-24).

Coyotes forward Steven Reinprecht, who had four goals, three assists, was second star. Sharks forward Jeremy Roenick, who had his 500th goal, was third.

Is Marty the MVP?

Wrote about this during training camp but thought it was worth bringing up again after Saturday's victory over the Capitals. Is Marty St. Louis the real MVP of this team? I know, Vinny 4 is a superstar and Dan Boyle, when he is healthy, is a great puck-mover and what coach John Tortorella calls "the catalyst'' of the offense. But it was interesting that when discussing how he constructs his offensive lines, Tortorella spoke of St.. Louis as kind of the all-purpose fix.

Take Saturday's game which began with St. Louis on Brad Richards' line. Not surprising since the Line of Lecavalier, Vinny Prospal and Michel Ouellet was so strong Thursday against the Hurricanes. But when the two Vinnies weren't going well, the cure was to move St. Louis up to their line. The result: five five-on-five points for that line.

Asked about it after the game, Tortorella talked about how St. Louis was the player most comfortable moving around from line-to-line; kind of like the Mr. Fix it of the team.

So that led me to wonder, again, if St. Louis is really the person who makes this team go. Lecavalier often talks about how playing with St. Louis last season forced him to keep skating, which allowed his natural talent to take over. St. Louis is a hound on defense, too. I even voted for him as a Selke finalist last season. He's very rarely off his feet and his speed forces opposing defenses to give him some room and allows him to avoid some of the battles for pucks other players have to fight.

He also has matured into a pretty good locker room presence, and was one of a handful of players to speak up at a players-only meeting after the dreadful loss to the Rangers.

It's a tough call, and surely this team doesn't go anywhere without Lecavalier's massive talent. But St. Louis in some way, pushed that talent to the surface. Add the other stuff and perhaps he really is the team MVP.

Boyle surgery called successful

Defenseman Dan Boyle underwent a second surgery Friday to repair his left wrist originally injured Sept. 22. The procedure used one tendon from Boyle's left index finger as a replacement for two tendons that developed complications after his first surgery. The team, in a statement, called the procedure "successful.''

"I am extremely confident this operation will allow Dan and the Lightning to move forward after these unusual and unfortunate circumstances,'' said surgeon Thomas Graham, chief of the Curtis National Hand Center at Baltimore's Union Memorial Hospital.

Boyle originally had surgery on Sept. 23 after three wrist tendons that joined muscles that control the thumb and wrist were slashed by a skate that fell from his St. Pete Times Forum locker. Two of the tendons did not heal properly in the surgery performed by Tampa orthopedist Richard Gray and assisted by Lightning medical director Ira Guttentag. One ruptured at the place it was repaired. 

The team said Friday's procedure  consisted of transferring a tendon from the index finger to help restore "strength and function'' to the thumb and wrist. The two tendons that developed complications were not repaired.

The hand will be in a splint for the next "few weeks,'' after which will be an unspecified period of rehab. 

Silly rumor

The call from a breathless reporter in Montreal came during the third period of the Lightning's game Wednesday against the Panthers. A report in Canada claimed Tampa Bay was working on a trade that would send Brad Richards and Andre Roy to the Canadiens for struggling wing Mike Ryder, minor league goaltender Jaroslav Halak and wing Andrei Kostsitsyn.

Believe it or not, there was a Canadiens scout at the game, and he admitted he had watched the Lightning and Panthers play in Florida on Monday. But he said he had never heard of such a deal and was simply taking a swing through the Southeast division.

It seems you have to believe the part about him not knowing about such a trade because it just doesn't seem to make sense for the Lightning which was supposed to give up Richards, its second-line center and one of its alternate captains for Ryder and Kostsitsyn who between them have just 11 points, and Halak has 16 NHL games to his name.

I'm sure the potential new owners of the franchise would love to have to fill that kind of hole in the roster.

And why would Tampa Bay give up Roy without getting muscle in return? The team still needs his physical presence. Yes, defenseman Shane O'Brien can fight, but you don't want one of your top-four defenseman taking on an enforcer role. Nor do you want third-line center Chris Gratton.

And what if Tampa Bay gets Halak? Does Marc Denis and his $2.8-million salary get sent to the minors? It would make more sense if the Lightning told any potential trade partner: you want one of our superstars, you have to take Denis as well.

I'm not going to get into talking about all the rumors you hear, but it is worth taking a second, sometimes, to figure out why these things seem to make so little sense.    

A new top line?

Yes, we really liked Johan Holmqvist's effort against the Hurricanes. Shows you the guy has it in him. It's just a matter of consistency. Maybe it's a matter of allowing 40 shots a game. As Holmqvist said after the victory, it's better than "standing around for 15 minutes'' waiting for a shot.

Just as interesting, though, is the pairing of Michel Ouellet with Vinny Lecavalier and Vinny Prospal. That combination produced seven points against the Hurricanes and there is no reason to believe the line won't be together Saturday in Washington. The move pushed Marty St. Louis to Brad Richards' line, and that isn't the worst thing for Brad.

This could last one shift, it could last four months. You never know with coach John Tortorella. But it is notable because Ouellet was one of those high-profile signings that was supposed to bring the team more firepower. Sure, he was supposed to play with Richards, but, you know, sometimes the chemistry is not there.

At least it's not there yet.

The nice story is Ouellet, who struggled so mightily with Tampa Bay's puck pursuit system. He was a trapper at heart and did so with the Penguins before being signed as a free agent. Ouellet missed most of the preseason with a hamstring injury and then looked lost for much of the first part of the season. He was down on the fourth line at times and his playing time hit a low of 9:36 on Nov. 1 against the Islanders.

But a light seems to have gone on. All of a sudden, Ouellet is skating hard, is strong on the puck, forechecking and backchecking. It is more than just being placed with Lecavalier. Ouellet was turning things around before the pairing was made in Thursday's game. He still has only four goals, but he has two goals and three assists in his past four games. Since that Nov. 1 game, his ice time has gone to 12:55, 14:50, 18:28 and 20:21 in consecutive games.

If Ouellet stays consistent, that will be a huge boost for the offense. Ouellet cares, too. He understands why he was brought in here, and admittedly was feeling the pressure.

Funny thing: coach John Tortorella calls Ouellet Mike, not Michel; something about being  a harder player to play against.

I'll have more on Ouellet in tomorrow's paper.    

Holmer gets the call

If you saw that eight-second stretch Wednesday in which Johan Holmqvist made four of his 22 saves in a victory over the Panthers, it would not seem odd that Holmqvist gets the start tonight against the Hurricanes. But it is notable, though, that Marc Denis will sit for the fourth straight game.

Back-to-backs are a natural place for the backup goaltender to get a game. Usually the backup gets the call against the better team; the thinking being your No. 1 goalie gives you the best chance to beat the lower-ranked team. If the backup steals one against the better team, it's a bonus. But Denis will sit tonight as the Lightning continues to hope Holmqvist develops into a real No. 1, and the coaching staff continues to show its lack of confidence in Denis.

Coach John Tortorella this morning said he did not want to get into a long discussion about goaltending, and added, "I want to go with Holmer.'' Denis said he's "just sticking with the program.''

Holmqvist, who has played in 13 of Tampa Bay's 15 games, was very good last season against the Hurricanes, going 3-1-0 with a 1.80 goals-against average and a .930 save percentage. Even so, Tortorella said past performance is not a determining factor for him and his coaching staff when making of-the-moment decisions. "We talked as a group and want to go with Holmer,'' he said.

Perhaps it is as simple as this: The Lightning, 0-7 on the road, needs a victory over a hot and aggressive opponent. Might as well go with the goalie you think is your best.

Boyle surgery set for Friday

Defenseman Dan Boyle will have surgery to repair the two tendons in his left wrist that have not healed from his original surgery Sept. 23, the team announced.

The surgery will be performed by Thomas Graham, the vice chairman for the Department of Orthopedic Surgery at Union Memorial Hospital in Baltimore. Graham was recommended to Boyle, the team said, by Lightning medical director Ira Guttentag and his associate Richard Gray, who performed the original surgery on Boyle, and Boyle's agent George Bazos.

No word on how long Boyle will be sidelined.

All-Star ballots

Here is the release the Lightning sent out concerning All-Star voting. Vinny Lecavalier, Brad Richards, Dan Boyle and Marty St. Louis are on the ballots:

Lightning forwards Vincent Lecavalier, Brad Richards, Marty St. Louis and defenseman Dan Boyle are among the players named to the ballot in XM/NHL All-Star Fan Balloting, Presented by 2K Sports, which opens Nov. 13.

For the second consecutive season, the NHL-All Star Fan Balloting process will be entirely digital. From Nov. 13 through Jan. 2, fans around the world can “Vote Now, Vote Often” online at NHL.com to select the starting lineups for the 2008 NHL All-Star Game in Atlanta. In addition, U.S. fans also can cast votes through Verizon Wireless cell phones.

The 2007-08 season marks the 20th year in which fans will determine the starting lineups for the NHL All-Star Game. Fans can vote for six Eastern Conference All-Stars and six Western Conference All-Stars: three forwards, two defensemen and one goaltender for each team. If a player is not listed on the ballot, a space is provided for “write-in” votes. The three forwards, two defensemen and one goaltender from each Conference receiving the most votes will comprise the starting lineups. Each of the 30 NHL clubs has at least two representatives on the ballot.

XM, which airs every NHL game for every team as the exclusive satellite radio network of the NHL, is the Title Sponsor and 2K Sports, a leading publisher of current and next generation sports video games including NHL® 2K8 returns as the Presenting Sponsor.

NHL broadcast partners VERSUS (U.S.), RDS (Canada) and NASN (Europe) will team up with the NHL to deliver a comprehensive and global on-air presence to All-Star Fan Balloting. Each broadcast partner will provide unique, in-game “Vote Now, Vote Often” features, broadcast promos and online direct links to the NHL All-Star Fan Balloting section on NHL.com.
            
The XM/NHL All-Star Fan Balloting, Presented by 2K Sports section on NHL.com will feature an interactive ballot, showcasing players with video clips, photos and virtual video game highlights created from in-game NHL® 2K8 footage. Residents of the United States and Canada who vote will be able to register for a chance to win a variety of daily prizes, including XM XpressRC radios with three months of free service, 2K Sports games, autographed 2008 NHL All-Star jerseys and shop.NHL.com gift certificates. One grand prize winner will receive a trip for two to attend the 2008 NHL All-Star Game in a private suite joined by former NHL players, courtesy of XM.

NHL Member Clubs, including the Lightning, will activate local “Vote Now, Vote Often” campaigns, supporting their balloted players.

The 2008 NHL All-Star Weekend in Atlanta will feature live national broadcasts of the Dodge/NHL SuperSkills event on Saturday, Jan. 26 and the NHL All-Star Game on Sunday, Jan. 27 on VERSUS in the United States and CBC and RDS in Canada. NASN and other international broadcasters will provide live coverage of both the Dodge/NHL SuperSkills event and the NHL All-Star Game to more than 115 countries and territories in Europe. NHL RADIO on Westwood One will provide exclusive, national radio coverage which can be heard on stations around the United States and Canada as well as on XM Satellite Radio's NHL Home Ice and NHL.com.

Following are the 104 players named to the 2007-08 ballot in XM/NHL All-Star Fan Balloting, Presented by 2K Sports:

   EASTERN CONFERENCE

   Goaltenders
   Martin Biron, Philadelphia Flyers
   Martin Brodeur, New Jersey Devils
   Rick DiPietro, New York Islanders
   Ray Emery, Ottawa Senators
   Cristobal Huet, Montreal Canadiens
   Olaf Kolzig, Washington Capitals
   Henrik Lundqvist, New York Rangers
   Ryan Miller, Buffalo Sabres
   Tomas Vokoun, Florida Panthers
   Cam Ward, Carolina Hurricanes

   Defensemen
   Jay Bouwmeester, Florida Panthers
   Dan Boyle, Tampa Bay Lightning
   Brian Campbell, Buffalo Sabres
   Zdeno Chara, Boston Bruins
   Tomas Kaberle, Toronto Maple Leafs
   Andrei Markov, Montreal Canadiens
   Bryan McCabe, Toronto Maple Leafs
   Chris Phillips, Ottawa Senators
   Wade Redden, Ottawa Senators
   Henrik Tallinder, Buffalo Sabres
   Kimmo Timonen, Philadelphia Flyers
   Ryan Whitney, Pittsburgh Penguins

   Forwards
   Maxim Afinogenov, Buffalo Sabres
   Daniel Alfredsson, Ottawa Senators
   Jason Blake, Toronto Maple Leafs
   Daniel Briere, Philadelphia Flyers
   Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh Penguins
   Chris Drury, New York Rangers
   Patrik Elias, New Jersey Devils
   Simon Gagne, Philadelphia Flyers
   Brian Gionta, New Jersey Devils
   Scott Gomez, New York Rangers
   Bill Guerin, New York Islanders
   Dany Heatley, Ottawa Senators
   Marian Hossa, Atlanta Thrashers
   Jaromir Jagr, New York Rangers
   Olli Jokinen, Florida Panthers
   Saku Koivu, Montreal Canadiens
   Ilya Kovalchuk, Atlanta Thrashers
   Slava Kozlov, Atlanta Thrashers
   Vincent Lecavalier, Tampa Bay Lightning
   Evgeni Malkin, Pittsburgh Penguins
   Alex Ovechkin, Washington Capitals
   Brad Richards, Tampa Bay Lightning
   Martin St. Louis, Tampa Bay Lightning
   Marc Savard, Boston Bruins
   Brendan Shanahan, New York Rangers
   Jason Spezza, Ottawa Senators
   Eric Staal, Carolina Hurricanes
   Mats Sundin, Toronto Maple Leafs
   Thomas Vanek, Buffalo Sabres
   Justin Williams, Carolina Hurricanes


WESTERN CONFERENCE

   Goaltenders
   Niklas Backstrom, Minnesota Wild
   J.S. Giguere, Anaheim Ducks
   Dominik Hasek, Detroit Red Wings
   Nikolai Khabibulin, Chicago Blackhawks
   Miikka Kiprusoff, Calgary Flames
   Pascal Leclaire, Columbus Blue Jackets
   Roberto Luongo, Vancouver Canucks
   Evgeni Nabokov, San Jose Sharks
   Marty Turco, Dallas Stars

   Defensemen
   Francois Beauchemin, Anaheim Ducks
   Rob Blake, Los Angeles Kings
   Scott Hannan, Colorado Avalanche
   Ed Jovanovski, Phoenix Coyotes
   Nicklas Lidstrom, Detroit Red Wings
   Mattias Ohlund, Vancouver Canucks
   Dion Phaneuf, Calgary Flames
   Chris Pronger, Anaheim Ducks
   Brian Rafalski, Detroit Red Wings
   Robyn Regehr, Calgary Flames
   Sheldon Souray, Edmonton Oilers
   Lubomir Visnovsky, Los Angeles Kings
   Sergei Zubov, Dallas Stars

   Forwards
   Jason Arnott, Nashville Predators
   Mike Cammalleri, Los Angeles Kings
   Jonathan Cheechoo, San Jose Sharks
   Pavel Datsyuk, Detroit Red Wings
   Shane Doan, Phoenix Coyotes
   Marian Gaborik, Minnesota Wild
   Ryan Getzlaf, Anaheim Ducks
   Martin Havlat, Chicago Blackhawks
   Milan Hejduk, Colorado Avalanche
   Ales Hemsky, Edmonton Oilers
   Jarome Iginla, Calgary Flames
   Paul Kariya, St. Louis Blues
   Anze Kopitar, Los Angeles Kings
   Daymond Langkow, Calgary Flames
   David Legwand, Nashville Predators
   Patrick Marleau, San Jose Sharks
   Andy McDonald, Anaheim Ducks
   Mike Modano, Dallas Stars
   Brenden Morrow, Dallas Stars
   Rick Nash, Columbus Blue Jackets
   Markus Naslund, Vancouver Canucks
   Brian Rolston, Minnesota Wild
   Joe Sakic, Colorado Avalanche
   Daniel Sedin, Vancouver Canucks
   Henrik Sedin, Vancouver Canucks
   Ryan Smyth, Colorado Avalanche
   Paul Stastny, Colorado Avalanche
   Joe Thornton, San Jose Sharks
   Keith Tkachuk, St. Louis Blues
   Henrik Zetterberg, Detroit Red Wings

Boyle out indefinitely

Bad news on the Dan Boyle front.

According to a news release issued by the Lightning, the wrist that supposedly had healed enough to allow the All-Star defenseman to play more than 28 minutes on Saturday will need a second surgery. He has been put on injured reserve and is out indefinitely.

Of the three tendons that were operated on after a freak lockerroom accident with a skate sliced his wrist, only one is fully repaired, an MRI showed. One has re-ruptured, and another is being held together by the stitches.

Stay tuned.

"Dan will be consulting with a number of hand and wrist specialists recommended to him by the Lightning medical staff, after which he will be scheduled for additional surgery on his wrist,'' GM Jay Feaster said in the release.

Matt Smaby will be recalled from Norfolk to take the roster spot.

(Pictured: Dan Boyle, right, battles for the puck with the New York Islanders' Radek Martinek. AP Photo. Click to enlarge.)

Let's talk penalties

How difficult must it be for players to deal with something like what happened in Monday's game with the Panthers? Vinny Prospal leveled Bryan Allen from behind and into the side boards in the first period. A clear penalty, and the referees, worried about the spate of illegal hits this season (the Flyers seem to be the No. 1 offenders), decided to hand out a five-minute major. Fine.

But, geez, were they kidding when they gave a five-minute major to Nick Tarnasky for a side check on Mike Van Ryn? Coach John Tortorella has ranted for more than a year that the league is trying to take too much of the physical play out of the game, and with calls like the one on Tarnasky, he might be right. At the very least it makes a player stop and think, and, being tentative during a game, as we know, is not good.

The situation made me think of a similar play in the opener, if I recall, when Paul Ranger simply shouldered an opponent to the ice while going into a corner for the puck and was called for roughing. I recall speaking to Ranger the next day, and he said it was nothing more than two players going full bore to battle for puck and position. Ranger said he and the player looked at each other as they streaked for the corner. Both braced for a collision and Ranger got the best of it. Ranger said the referee told him had the other player not been knocked down, there would not have been a call.

Amazing, and not at all consistent with other calls that are made and not made.

You may have noticed this as well in recent games: Considering the league's mandate to call almost anything when a stick comes off the ice, players who feel sticks on their bodies are starting to hold those sticks with chicken-wing moves referees sometimes see and sometimes don't.

Given the huge role special teams play nowadays, it is incumbent on the refs to not only be aware but be consistent.

No word on Boyle

We'll have to wait for Tuesday to get word on Dan Boyle's MRI. It was unclear if orthopedist Richard Gray, who performed the surgery that repaired Boyle's three severed tendons in his left wrist, had spoken to Boyle or trainer Tommy Mulligan. But Lightning spokesman Bill Wickett said Gray had been in surgery most of the day and that "nothing should be inferred'' by the lack of an immediate report.

Don't expect trade to help goalie situation

I've had a couple of e-mails with questions, so I figure I can address any speculation the Lightning will make a trade to shore up the net. Never say never, but as it stands now, such a trade is very, very remote for several reasons. The Lightning already is about $2-million over its self-imposed $44-million salary cap, so any trade, unless ownership had a 180-degree change of heart regarding how much it is willing to pay, would have to include payroll going out. Who do you get rid of? The Lightning has so little depth, it cannot easily make a trade that wouldn't hurt it in another area. Draft choices? The team already is without a second-round pick next year thanks to the Chris Gratton trade. It has its first-round pick, though.

Ideally, the team would like to get Marc Denis' $2.8-million salary off its books, but the only way to do that, it seems, would be to package him in a trade with one of Tampa Bay's top players. And only 13 games into the season, there is no chance, none, Tampa Bay is looking to trade anyone off the top of the roster.

Denis, when Karri Ramo finally gets called up (more on the injured goalie later) could get sent to the minors, where he could be claimed for half price on recall waivers. That seems to be the most hopeful option, though considering he has looked shaky in his few appearances, that might be asking a lot. 

Then there is the pending sale of the team. It is unlikely, with the sale apparently progressing, though slowly, that Palace Sports is going to authorize adding to payroll while trying to keep the process on track.

So get used to the current situation because in the near term, anyway, it is unlikely to change. Remember, I'm not saying it won't just that it doesn't seem that way right now, and what that means is any improvement will have to come from within.

As for Ramo, it's not a stretch to believe he would have been called up already had he not gotten hurt, and next weekend marks four weeks he will be out with a high ankle sprain. Norfolk coach Steve Stirling said Monday that Ramo is skating on his own and taking "a few'' shots. Stirling said he is hopeful Ramo could begin practicing by the middle of this week and perhaps play by the Nov. 14 game at Hartford.

"We're not babying him, Stirling said.

Craig on the road back

Center Ryan Craig has been sent to AHL Norfolk for a two-game conditioning trip. The Admirals play Wednesday and Friday at home against Hershey. Lightning coach John Tortorella said Craig will rejoin the team Saturday in Washington. Whether that means he gets right back into the lineup remains to be seen.

As for defenseman Dan Boyle, his MRI exam is at 2 p.m. today. The team said the doctor making the analysis will be in surgery until at least 5 p.m, so no word is expected until this evening.

Boyle out

Dan Boyle did not practice Sunday and will have an MRI Monday to make sure the three surgically repaired tendons in his left wrist are healing properly. Coach John Tortorella said Boyle will not play Monday at Florida, and said the team has some concerns about the strength in the hand. Boyle has played four games after missing the first nine after a skate fell off the top of his locker and severed the tendons that connect to two muscles that control the thumb. He has zero points, is minus-7 and is averaging 21:42 of ice time.

Boyle played 28:28 in Saturday's loss to the Thrashers and took at least one solid slash to his left wrist. But Tortorella said the slash was not a factor, though the concerns did develop after the game.

Can't win without goaltending

Guess everything is back to square one. The Lightning finally gets some goals but gets lousy goaltending. Perhaps that is what this season is destined to be, an up-and-down battle in which the team fights for consistency and to get everyone on the same page at the same time.

Look, the Thrashers have some pretty good shooters. Ilya Kovalchuk and Marian Hossa can play with the best of them. But the shots on which they scored Saturday night weren't ones on which you said, 'Oh, wow.' And there were defensive lapses that led to the scoring chances, but everybody has those. In this context, I view them more as opportunities for game-turning saves, the kind of saves teams need to win consistently.

I still think Holmqvist hasn't been that bad this season overall, and he made a nice save in the first period on Pascal Dupuis' breakaway. But, man, they really needed him to step up at key times in a game in which the team wanted to make a statement, and even he admitted he failed while allowing five goals on 21 shots and two goals on four shots in the third period -- there was that one empty netter, after all.

Good to see the team score again, though. The top two lines were on their game, it seemed to me. The bottom lines were doing some good work on the forecheck.

On this night, the Lightning just needed a save.      

Can't win without goals

Let's just acknowledge up front that the Lightning is again last in the league in save percentage at .875, but we've been there before. And, even so, I don't think Johan Holmqvist (who's save percentage is .885 and has a 3.01 goals-against average) has been that bad.

But the Lightning's strategy entering the season was to simply outscore its opponents. That's why it got Michel Ouellet. That's why it got Jan Hlavac and Chris Gratton. But after a road trip in which Tampa Bay was outscored 13-2 in three losses, goals are hard to come by. The team's 35 goals are eight in the East. So it is up to those guys who are supposed to score to get it done.

Consider Marty St. Louis has two goals but none in his past four games. Brad Richards has five but none in his past four. Vinny Prospal has nine goals but hasn't scored in his past three. Gratton has three goals but is scoreless in six games And Ouellet and Hlavac, with two goals and one goal, respectively, have been disappointing.

So we can talk all we want about goaltending and a defense that has been shaky at best. But this slump seems mostly about goal scoring.

"I know I'm counted on, and everybody is counted on,'' St. Louis said after Saturday's morning skate. "We all have to push each other to get there.''

Expect the usual suspects to get the bulk of playing time in order for the to work through the slump.

"We put a lot of pressure on our top people, and they're going to get every opportunity to be the difference makers,'' coach John Tortorella said. "Your best players need to be your best players.''

"Once our guys are on the top of our game, we're a tough team to beat,'' St. Louis said. "Until we're there, we have to continue to grind it out. ... Guys work too hard here and care too much for things not to go the way they should go. You just have to fight through it. It's going to get better and we'll be a better team because of it.''

Here's how the lines skated in the morning:

Prospal-Lecavalier-Ward

Hlavac-Richards-St. Louis

Roy-Gratton-Tarnasky

Karlsson-MacDonald-Ouellet

The defense was:

Ranger-Boyle

O'Brien-Kuba

Lukowich-Lundin

            

Brad Richards announces his Foundation

The Lightning has some terrific people playing for it. That's just the bottom line.

Brad Richards, who for so long has opened his suite at the St. Pete Times Forum to pediatric cancer kids (the program is called Richy's Rascals), has formed a foundation that will expand his philanthropic reach in the community.

The Brad Richards Foundation (bradrichardsfoundation.org) was unveiled Friday in an event at Shots restaurant at the Times Forum with the announcement of two new programs: Task Force 19 and Richy's Hot Shots.

Task Force 19 is an initiative for military appreciation and recognition. There will be programs throughout the year, but the first event will be in two weeks when Richards hosts selected soldiers and their families for an early Thanksgiving dinner at Tampa Palms Golf & Country Club.

Richy's Hotshots will provide monthly recognition and an annual grant program for youth hockey. Beginning this month, local hockey coaches will nominate players from which three will be chosen to receive a grant to pay for the following season's travel or hockey expenses.

Richards said the foundation took about two years to come to fruition.

"It's a great day. We want to get it recognized. We want to get it out there so that people can understand what it's about and get on board with what we want to accomplish,'' he said. "It's pretty cool.''

And here's the part I liked the best. Brad never has asked for publicity for his good works. I wrote about Richy's Rascals two Christmases ago but it was at my request not his. He said his foundation will work the same way. He will have events but won't publicize them until they are over. He said that way he ensures the privacy of the people who get his foundation's benefits.

"I just don't think it's fair to invade people's privacy; 'Here comes Brad and he's going to bring an entourage.' I don't think that's fair,'' Richards said. "We'll do it in private and make sure it's comfortable for everyone.'' 

Shuffling lines

UNIONDALE, N.Y. -- In a move to try to resusitate a struggling offense, the Lightning opened tonight's game against the Islanders with some massive line shuffling, but Tampa Bay still fell behind early on the road. The Lighting trails 1-0.

Head coach John Tortorella started a line of Chris Gratton, Andre Roy and Nick Tarnasky. He also split up Vinny Lecavalier and Marty St. Louis, placing St. Louis with old linemate Brad Richards and Jan Hlavac and keeping Lecavalier and Vinny Prospal teamed together to go along with Jason Ward. The fourth line consisted of Andreas Karlsson, Craig MacDonald and Michel Ouellet.

Defensive pairs were Dan Boyle and Paul Ranger, Filip Kuba and Shane O'Brien, and Brad Luckowich with Mike Lundin.

Notes from Nassau

UNIONDALE, N.Y. -- With the Lightning still searching for its first road win of the season here at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Tampa Bay has made a slight adjustment to its lineup for tonight's game against the Islanders.

Forward Andreas Karlsson will play for the in his first game of the season -- He's been scratched for the season's first 11 games -- on Chris Gratton's third line, taking the place of Mathieu Darche.

Karlsson came off the ice with the rest of the players in the lineup this morning, while Darche had an extended practice with the injured players and healthy scratches. That's the routine Karlsson's grown used to, practicing while the rest of his teammates were boarding buses, but he's worked very hard for this opportunity, and sooner or later, he was going to get it.

Other than that, not many changes. Head coach John Tortorella said Dan Boyle could play 30 minutes tonight and he said he has no plans to scratch struggling defenseman Brad Lukowich (An unprovoked comment, which leads on to believe the thought crossed his mind).

With it being the back end of back-to-back games, Marc Denis will start in goal tonight, making his second start of the season.

Just to give readers an idea of how tough this trip's been for the Lightning. Not only was it winless for the first two games. It's obvious that the team is pressing. According to Tortorella, they've had just 10 scoring chances the past two games. Special teams have been weak. And the Devils scored four of their six goals on the rush, not a ringing endorsement for the defense.

And to add to the Lightning's frustration, after dodging all the puddles in outside their dressing room before two water pipes were leaking at the new Prudential Center, Tampa Bay was looking forward to a quick trip to Long Island and an early night, but it took them two hours, seven minutes to get to their hotel with the team bus stopped dead in traffic at least three times.

I think they're looking forward to getting home.