Lightning coach John Tortorella tries to keep the focus on tonight's opponent, the Bruins, and not on the talk of a big season.
By DAMIAN CRISTODERO
Published October 10, 2003
TAMPA - Tim Taylor wouldn't bite.
No matter how the question was asked, the Lightning center would not say how many games he believes Tampa Bay should win out of its first 10. A bit disappointing because as prognosticators go, Taylor is pretty reliable.
Last season he said the Lightning should win seven of its first 10, and the team began 7-1-2.
"I've looked at it, yes," Taylor said Thursday. "But you're a little more apprehensive this year because you don't want to try to set goals that might not be achievable. If you don't reach those goals, you don't want to put the season in a negative stance. But we should get off to a real good start."
The Lightning begins the defense of its Southeast Division title tonight against the Bruins at the St. Pete Times Forum.
With a schedule that could not have been drawn up better by the Lightning, another fast start is doable. Tampa Bay plays nine of its first 11 games at home, and faces only four playoff teams.
"You take advantage of the ebbs and flows of the hockey season," Taylor said. "You take advantage of it when you can because you know teams are going to take advantage of you. This is a part of our schedule where we can hopefully separate ourselves from other teams early on out of the gate."
Coach John Tortorella does not want his players to get ahead of themselves. He spent much of last season preaching a one-game-at-a-time theme. He isn't about to let go.
"I don't buy all the talk about playing nine of 11 at home, you need to do this, that and the other thing," he said. "We are concerned about one thing and that's the Boston Bruins. That is the team we're focused on right now and that's how we're going to approach it."
There is something to what he says.
Tampa Bay lost a heartbreaking 3-2 decision to the Islanders to start 2001-02, and earned an emotional 4-3 overtime victory over the Panthers to begin last season. Both games, it has been acknowledged by players and coaches, set the tone for the season.
Still, with the Lightning a year older and with a playoff series victory under its belt - a victory that came after losing the first two games - tonight's game (banner-raising ceremony and all) has apparently become just one of 82.
"I don't think we're the same old Lightning," center Brad Richards said. "We're good enough and mature enough to handle that stuff. You're not going to win every home opener. You lose a game. What are you going to do, quit for the other 81?"
"This year the expectations are there," defenseman Jassen Cullimore said. "It's excitement. There's a little bit of pressure on us and that's a good thing. That's what you want. You want to go into a season knowing you have to play well. We want to get off to a good start, but if we don't, it's not going to put us down on ourselves."
As Taylor sees it, the Lightning should come out of its first 10 games on a high. He would not be more specific.
"I think we should win a majority," he said. "I'm not going to say how many, but this is a real good time to take advantage of the schedule. If we can gain some confidence, that sets us up a little bit ahead of the game."
