St. Louis blames slump on energy lag

TAMPA -- There was no hiding the frustration on Martin St. Louis' face or in his voice.

The Lightning right wing has zero points in six games after Monday's 3-1 win over the Capitals, and it is eating at him.

"It is frustrating," he said. "I'm disappointed in my performance the last few games. We could have used my game, I guess. I haven't been able to produce like I have in the past."

St. Louis leads the team with 27 goals and trails Vinny Prospal and Vinny Lecavalier (54) in points by one. But St. Louis has one assist in seven games since playing the All-Star Game. "He's sorely missed," coach John Tortorella said. "We need him to get going."

St. Louis said his energy level is not where it should be, a significant admission for a player known for feisty, free-wheeling determination.

"I've got to bring more energy, and I can," he said. "It's a long season. You get some games physically where you don't feel like yourself."

St. Louis said he is not injured: "I just have to fight through this."

BROKEN BREAKAWAY: Why can't Lecavalier finish a breakaway? The center said he has missed his past 10, quite a number for a skilled player.

"I'm thinking too much," Lecavalier said. "Should I go this way, the other way? I need to look at the goalie and work off him. Let him make the first move. Be patient."

Lecavalier's goal Saturday against the Bruins, his first in nine games, might provide confidence.

SUNSHINE STANDOFF: Cathy Weeden, vice president and general manager of Sunshine Network, said there is nothing new in the standoff between the cable television network and Time Warner. Because of the blizzard in the northeast (Time Warner's offices are in Stamford, Conn.) and Presidents Day, the sides did not connect.

GRUDEN ON HOCKEY: Bucs coach Jon Gruden dropped his first ceremonial puck. "I'm going to drop it and get out of the way," he said.

CASSIDY BLASTS REFEREE: Capitals coach Bruce Cassidy said referee Chris Rooney should not have called Peter Bondra for boarding in the third period to create a five-on-three power play on which Dan Boyle scored to tie the score at 1. "Chris Rooney had a direct effect on the outcome of the game with those two calls, especially the one on Bondra," he said. "That's ridiculous. I watched it 10 times and he didn't do anything. To me, it's inexcusable."

KOLZIG HURT: Capitals goalie Olaf Kolzig left with 1:25 left after Lightning right wing Ben Clymer's knee inadvertently hit him in the head. Kolzig stopped 128-of-135 in splitting four games with Tampa Bay, a .948 save percentage.