TAMPA - They might be reunited for today's practice or Friday's opener against the Bruins. But Monday, center Vinny Lecavalier and left wing Cory Stillman played on different lines.
"Through six or seven preseason games, it just wasn't working that well," coach John Tortorella said.
What worked well late during Saturday's preseason finale against the Panthers was a line of Stillman, center Brad Richards and Martin St. Louis. That pushed Ruslan Fedotenko from left wing on Richards' line to right wing on Lecavalier's. Dmitry Afanasenkov played on Lecavalier's left.
"Is it for practice? I don't know," Stillman said. "Obviously, he's trying to find lines. He's said that from the start."
The Stillman-Lecavalier combination is notable because Stillman was acquired as a hedge against the loss of free agent Vinny Prospal, whose pinpoint passing helped Lecavalier to career highs of 33 goals and 78 points.
Stillman had three goals (two while playing with Lecavalier) and an assist in six games. Lecavalier had no goals and three assists.
"We did score," Stillman said. "Obviously, we didn't score in bunches, but you don't get into a routine until you play every night. Playing once a week, it's tough. You go from practice speed to game speed. No matter how hard you work in practice, there's still another step between that and a game."
"I wasn't on top of my game, and probably he wasn't," Lecavalier said. "I think every game we got better. There is a lot of juggling lines out there. You never know what is going to happen."
Said Tortorella of the Stillman-Lecavalier combo: "We'll go back to it. I'm not one to lock into anything. If you're a good player, you need to play with other people. We'll look at these combinations and see where it goes. Nothing is in stone."
CIBAK-SVITOV: Tortorella said a decision on whether Alexander Svitov or Martin Cibak gets the final roster spot as the No. 4 center will be announced today.
"I've been nervous for the last couple of weeks," Cibak said. "The chance is big. I want that job."
Cibak, 23, had two assists in six preseason games and brings a solid defensive ethic. Svitov, 20, who should provide more offense, had one assist and has been much less effective on faceoffs.
Asked about possibly not winning the spot, Cibak said, "I would be disappointed. I would be doubly disappointed than last year."
PERSPECTIVE: The death Sunday of Atlanta center Dan Snyder from head injuries caused by the crash of a car driven by teammate Dany Heatley stirred some emotions.
"Driving to the rink (Monday), I was driving a lot more careful," St. Louis said. "I don't drive recklessly, but it puts things in perspective. It's not that important to be somewhere a few minutes faster."
"You think you're safe because you're surrounded by the metal of your car and the air bags and the safety measures you have," right wing Ben Clymer said. "It makes you want to slow down and realize five minutes extra isn't worth it."
ODDS AND ENDS: Defenseman Jassen Cullimore left practice because of a sore left wrist. He said bone chips from a broken wrist as a teenager occasionally irritate the joint. He is expected to practice today. ... A scrimmage at 6 tonight at the St. Pete Times Forum is for season-ticket holders.
