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© St. Petersburg Times, published February 8, 2002
TAMPA -- As Fredrik Modin, Tim Taylor and other injured Lightning players heal, Vinny Prospal is taking advantage of their absence.
The center, acquired in a trade with the Panthers in July, had six points (one goal, five assists) and was plus-3 in his past nine games entering Thursday's game against Florida.
"He can't (stop scoring), especially right now," coach John Tortorella said.
Prospal suffered through streaks of 11 and 16 games without a goal after scoring eight in his first 24. The latter ended Monday against Ottawa, when he had a goal and an assist. Prospal, the team's fourth-leading scorer but second among those healthy, also had an assist against Florida on Wednesday. Through 54 games, he had matched his point total (29) from last season.
"He's been put in all different types of situations, and he hasn't said a word," Tortorella said. "He's just gone out and played as hard as he could."
DISCIPLINE HELPS: The Lightning entered as the least penalized team in the league with 664 minutes. Florida led the league with 1,408 thanks to six players with 106 or more minutes. Tampa Bay's discipline, defenseman Jassen Cullimore said, is exercised with purpose.
"We haven't had that heavyweight tough guy to challenge other teams," Cullimore said. "We as a team believe we have to stay out of the penalty box to stay in games.
"Teams nowadays love to take advantage on their power plays. If we can win at that, then that's what we want to do."
MR. PHYSICAL: Determining Ryan Tobler's on-ice role is as easy as spying his missing front tooth and several other scrapes and bruises on his arms.
Recalled from Springfield of the AHL on Wednesday, the right wing has 14 goals for the Falcons this season. More important, Tobler had 145 penalty minutes in 46 games and provides a physical presence the Lightning hasn't had this season.
"If need be, I'll answer," said Tobler, who played his third NHL game Thursday. "You don't want to do anything stupid and put your team in a hole. It's just one of those things where you have to be smart and disciplined and answer when called upon."
NO TRADE NOW: Toronto center Nik Antropov, who has been mentioned in trade rumors involving the Lightning, tore the ACL in his left knee and will have surgery. The injury was sustained recently while playing for St. John's of the AHL.
ODDS AND ENDS: Florida coach Mike Keenan entered with 549 victories, fourth all-time. He was 143 shy of Dick Irvan for third all-time. ... Riverview junior Dan Kowalski was recognized before the game as the University Community Hospital High School player of the month for November and December. ... Defenseman Grant Ledyard (healthy) and Taylor (groin) were scratched.