Lecavalier continues to get star treatment

When things go wrong, such as Games 1-2, focus shifts to Lightning center.

TAMPA - It was all on Vinny Lecavalier. Good or bad, right or wrong, the Lightning center was on the spot - again - after Sunday's practice.

There were more questions about the defensive blunder that led to the winning goal in the Devils' 3-2 overtime victory Saturday in Game 2 of the East semifinals. And some wondered if he felt pressure or frustration t his lack of offensive production.

Lecavalier had zero shots Saturday and was minus-1. In the series, which New Jersey leads two games to none and resumes tonight at the St. Pete Times Forum, Lecavalier has zero points, one shot, is minus-3 and has won just 37.2 percent of his faceoffs.

To his credit, Lecavalier sat at his locker and answered every question; tensing up only when asked if it was fair he was taking the brunt of the criticism for shortcomings that, really, can be applied to many of his teammates.

"That's up to you. No one is perfect," Lecavalier said. "Every time there's a goal, a mistake is being made."

This is what happens when you are a star. You are lauded when things go right and a natural target when they go wrong.

This is what happens when you build expectations with a breakout season that included career highs of 33 goals, 45 assists and 78 points.

And don't forget the quarterfinals against the Capitals, in which Lecavalier had three goals and two assists and made a heck of a play to spark the winning goal in the Game 6 clincher.

"There's always going to be pressure," Lecavalier said. "I've had pressure on me since I've gotten drafted. If you can't handle the pressure, then you shouldn't be a professional athlete. It's only normal. People have expectations of you, and I will try my best to live up to them."

While Lecavalier said, "It's frustrating not producing, for sure," he added, "We can't start panicking for two games. Obviously, they are two important games. That's why I'm going to try to turn it around and try to produce (today)."

Lecavalier, 23, said he will try to be more physical, which should get him better involved in the emotion and flow of the game. He said he will try to play a more "complete" game. That is code for defense, something at which coach John Tortorella said the entire team has failed during the series.

Much of the Devils offense has come from the line of center John Madden, left wing Jay Pandolfo and right wings Turner Stevenson or Jamie Langenbrunner, who scored Saturday's winner.

That line also is assigned to shut down the line of Lecavalier, right wing Martin St. Louis and Vinny Prospal, which has one point in the series on St. Louis's unassisted short-handed goal.

Madden and company had similar success against the Bruins' top line and held Joe Thornton to one goal and two assists in five games. Just like the Bruins, the Lightning has not tapped into much reserve firepower. Six Tampa Bay players have scored in the playoffs compared with 10 for the Devils.

"It's everybody. You can't just single out one person," said St. Louis, rising to Lecavalier's defense.

Tortorella agreed but added, "Top billing is top billing. ... It's all about growing up as a player and growing up as an organization. I hope, and I believe, he does relish the opportunity to prove you wrong. That's what athletics is all about and being the best you can be, to accept the challenge and use it as an opportunity."

Captain Dave Andreychuk said he empathizes with Lecavalier.

"Believe me, I've been down that road before," he said. "I know going into a playoff series you're expected to do a lot. And when things don't happen, you put a lot of pressure on yourself."

That said, "He's a guy we need," Andreychuk said. "We need him on all cylinders."

Asked what Lecavalier should do, Andreychuk said, "Just continue to try. If you go all out, you'll be able to live with yourself. If you don't, you're the one who has to sit and think about what you could have done. Vinny has to put it in his mind he's going to give everything he's got. His talent will take over. He'll be okay."

"It doesn't bother me who I play against," Lecavalier said. "It's a challenge. It's a great line. But I don't run away from challenges."

Fair or not.

Today's lineup

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