Goalie Hodson takes struggles in stride

BRANDON -- Kevin Hodson knows all eyes are on him, knows questions will be asked.

So after four days of scrimmages, and with his save percentage at .819, worst of the four goaltenders in camp, Hodson was not surprised he drew attention.

"I understand, you look at me and want to see results right away, and with the other guys there is a grace period," Hodson said Tuesday. "For me, I come and prepare as well as I can and have fun. That's what it's all about."

Hodson, who has not played since February 2000, was signed for $200,000 with the hope he would be Nikolai Khabibulin's backup. Had Tampa Bay brought in another goalie to compete, the issue would not appear as acute.

Neither Evgeny Konstantinov nor Brian Eklund, the other goalies, are NHL ready. General manager Jay Feaster has said he will look to the Oct. 4 waiver draft or free agency if Hodson does not work out.

Goaltenders coach Jeff Reese said it is unfair to judge Hodson during scrimmages in which there is no checking, each team has just three defensemen and Hodson still is getting into game shape.

"He should get more of a grace period than the other guys because he's been off for two years," Reese said. "He's got to be judged in the exhibition games. It's coming. It's just going to take time."

It wasn't until Monday's scrimmages that Khabibulin looked anything like his old self.

Coach John Tortorella said at this point he is not worried about statistics ... for any player.

"This early in camp has just been a chance for Kevin to get some game looks," he said. "Whatever problems he is having, he has a chance to work them out with Jeff Reese."

"I'm just playing and competing," said Hodson, whose scrimmage record is 2-2. "When the exhibitions come, you make the most of it and that's what I'm doing, preparing the best I can and having fun."

NEW LOOKS: In a continuing effort to construct a No. 2 line, Nikita Alexeev replaced Shane Willis with center Vinny Lecavalier and Ruslan Fedotenko.

"I'm sure coach just wants to see different combinations," said Alexeev, who played left wing. "I'm not complaining about anything if I'm playing."

The line had nine points. Alexeev had a goal and an assist, Lecavalier had four assists and Fedotenko had a goal and two assists.

"At first we were running around, it takes some time," Alexeev said. "But we played pretty good."

OLD LOOKS: The No. 1 line of center Brad Richards, right wing Martin St. Louis and Fredrik Modin got together for the first time this season and had seven points. Richards had a goal and two assists. St. Louis and Modin each had a goal and an assist.

"It was great," Richards said. "Right away we clicked and got a couple of goals."

FOR THE RECORD: Willis had a hat trick in the Black's 7-3 victory over the Blue. The Black, with Khabibulin in goal, leads the standings at 3-1. ... Center Vinny Prospal has a team-high 11 points (one goal, 10 assists). He had a goal and two assists for the Blue. ... Eklund left with a bruise after taking a shot off the right elbow. He is expected to practice today.