Coach gives Lecavalier major kudos

TAMPA -- Lightning coach John Tortorella, reticent about singling out an individual for exceptional play, couldn't restrain himself when asked about center Vinny Lecavalier.

"I'm always very careful as far as praising our players," Tortorella said, "but I thought that game (Thursday vs. New Jersey) probably was one of the best games I've seen any of our players play in the three years I've been here."

Lecavalier's career-high 32nd goal with 5:25 remaining in regulation lifted the Lightning into a tie at 2. He also landed some emphatic body checks, one against Turner Stevenson, who ran over Vinny Prospal moments earlier.

And Lecavalier's pass from behind the net (for his career-high 43rd assist) to Brad Richards set in motion the play that ended with Martin St. Louis' last-minute goal in a 1-1 tie against Florida Saturday night. Lecavalier leads Tampa Bay with 75 points.

Tortorella said Lecavalier has the ability to play exceptionally well in every facet of the game, "and if he does that, he not only helps the team but the whole team grows off of him. That's very important come playoff time."

Lecavalier said he never knows how he's going to feel until he steps on the ice for his first shift. "It kind of develops as the game goes on," he said. "I thought I played pretty well. I felt good out there. I was hitting and my linemates gave me a lot of opportunities to shoot the puck.

"The fans (at the St. Pete Times Forum) were great. They pumped up the whole team, and when the fans are great they pump you up even more."