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© St. Petersburg Times, published January 3, 2002
ST. PAUL, Minn. -- Left wing Dave Andreychuk said he never saw anything like it. Neither had right wing Sheldon Keefe.
Center Vinny Prospal said, "It happens sometimes," but added, "For us to be chasing a one-goal deficit after the first shift is inexcusable. We have to correct it."
The players were talking about a bizarre streak in which Tampa Bay allowed goals on the first shot in three consecutive games, a streak that ended Wednesday night against the Wild at the Excel Energy Center.
The NHL said it does not keep track and does not know if the streak is rare.
"I think it's just a bad stretch they are going through," Wild coach Jacques Lemaire said. "You can't say a team is not going well even if the other team scores on a first shot."
Then again, he said, "If it's a guy who has scored just one goal all season, then you have a problem."
The goal by Boston's Nick Boynton was his second.
"The thing we have to concentrate on," Keefe said, "is to be ready to play once the puck drops."
LINE CHANGES: Troubled that left wing Zdeno Ciger had one assist in seven games since coming from the Rangers and Vinny Lecavalier is in a seasonlong slump, coach John Tortorella took them off the same line.
That is noteworthy because Ciger was acquired in great part to help Lecavalier get on track.
Prospal took Lecavalier's spot between Ciger and Keefe. Lecavalier moved to Prospal's spot with Ben Clymer and Juha Ylonen.
"I'm tired of hearing about scoring chances," Tortorella said. "We need production."
Which would help their defense. Lecavalier, with seven goals, is tied with Prospal with a team-worst minus-11. Ciger is minus-7, including minus-5 the past four games.
"It's gotten to the point we're trying to hide them," Tortorella said.
But the main concern is offense. "If our offensive people aren't scoring goals, we're in deep trouble," Tortorella said. "We have to get more offense other than the (Brad) Richards line if we are to stay in the hunt here."
OLVESTAD OUT: With forward Brian Holzinger back after missing 15 of 17 games with a torn left rotator cuff and Tortorella looking for an offensive spark, right wing Jimmie Olvestad was scratched. It was a difficult move for the coach, who loves Olvestad's grit and responsible play. "We hope some guys will get going," Tortorella said. "Jimmie shouldn't be out and it's rotten."
ODDS AND ENDS: Holzinger acknowledged he is still in pain and was in the lineup to see if the injury is manageable or needs surgery. ... Clymer, a Bloomington, Minn., native, said his agent rented a luxury suite for his family and friends. ... Defenseman Josef Boumedienne and left wing Gordie Dwyer were scratched.