Andreychuk recognized for record

TAMPA -- Dave Andreychuk usually doesn't do between-period interviews. He usually doesn't come back on the ice when he is named one of a game's three stars.

He did both Monday night.

The Lightning left wing was named the No. 1 star after Tampa Bay's 4-2 victory over the Coyotes in which he scored his 249th power-play goal to tie Phil Esposito's league record.

"I've been told from high up I should go out for the three stars," Andreychuk said. "My mom and dad were here, so that makes it special."

"It's great for David," said Esposito, a Lightning radio analyst. "I think it's terrific."

The goal, with assists from Brad Richards and Fredrik Modin, came 17 seconds into the second period and put the Lightning ahead 4-0. It was his fifth goal of the season, fourth on the power play and 598th of his career.

Andreychuk, who broke a six-game streak without a goal, said his tip-in of Richards' pass was easy.

"Brad and I had eye contact," he said. "It was a simple play after that. He put it in the spot I would like. It was one of those goals that was simple for me."

"It's a great honor," Richards said of assisting on the goal. "To be part of history like that and to have my name beside his is pretty cool."

Andreychuk almost got the record at 10:23 of the period, but goalie Patrick DesRochers made a glove save and pounced on the puck as it hit the ice and trickled toward the goal line.

Andreychuk said "in a perfect world" his next power-play goal also will be his 600th. "But it doesn't matter. ... I want it to be at home."

That, of course, would mean another postgame appearance as the No. 1 star.

LUKOWICH RETURNS: Defenseman Brad Lukowich returned after two games as a healthy scratch. He said it might have been "one of the best things I've ever done."

"I got a really good view of the game and the system we play," he said. "You can watch tape and stuff like that, and it helps you a lot. But when you're in the frame of mind I was, you're looking to see what you can do better in the game. ... It was a good learning experience."

Still, Lukowich said he doesn't plan on going through it again.

"Not if I can help it," he said.

"You have to give them an excuse to pull you out. You've got to go out there and play your best."

His first-period assist gave him seven points, tying last season's total.