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The day after Lightning center Vinny Lecavalier was benched in the second period of Tuesday's 1-1 tie with the Bruins, general manager Jay Feaster said he supported his coach's decision.
"John Tortorella made a coaching decision, which I fully support, and he did it within the context of trying to win a hockey game," Feaster said.
"The only thing this franchise has ever won, that Southeast Division title (last season), was won because we committed to the team concept. And that's the only way this team is going to have success."
Lecavalier was benched for the final 15:42 of the second period after an errant pass in the offensive zone led to Rob Zamuner's goal and a 1-0 Boston lead.
Lecavalier said he shouldn't have been benched for making an instinctual play and hinted his creativity on the ice is being stifled. Tortorella said Lecavalier was benched more for subsequent lapses in the defensive zone, which Feaster reiterated.
"I think it's a terrible cop-out to suggest or plant the suggestion that somehow my offensive struggles are the result of stifling my creativity, because that is something John has not done," Feaster said.
"You're encouraged to be creative. But if the creativity leads to a turnover, then you make sure you get back twice as hard and work twice as hard in the defensive zone to make sure it doesn't end up in your net."
Lecavalier, tied for the team lead with 11 goals, returned for the first shift of the third period and assisted on Andre Roy's tying goal.
Lecavalier's agent, Kent Hughes, called for collaboration rather than confrontation to help his client out of a slump that has produced three goals in 20 games.
"Whether or not he truly feels his offensive creativity is being stifled, one only has to watch him play to know his confidence isn't where it should be," Hughes said. "It would be nice if all the parties involved could work together to find solutions."
DINGMAN APPEAL: Feaster said he will appeal to Andy VanHellemond, the NHL director of officiating, the game misconduct given left wing Chris Dingman in the second period against Boston.
It was Dingman's third game misconduct, which carries a one-game suspension that would be served Friday against the Thrashers.
Dingman intervened in a shoving match between teammate Nolan Pratt and Sandy McCarthy and did nothing more than hold onto McCarthy to keep the confrontation from escalating.
Still, Feaster said, "I don't like our chances."
WAIVER MADNESS: Shane Willis knows a deadline looms that could change his status with the team. But the right wing said his only concern is getting back in the lineup after three consecutive scratches.
Players called up from the minors can be sent down without clearing waivers if they play fewer than 10 games or are on the roster fewer than 30 days. Willis has played eight games since his Dec. 1 callup from AHL Hershey.
Willis, with five assists and at plus-1, has been a healthy scratch, but Feaster said that has nothing to do with the transaction rules.
"While I am mindful of those dates and parameters, it has not influenced playing time decisions," he said.
Willis acknowledged parts of his game, such as creating opportunities by forechecking, had slipped.
"I got away from what I was successful with the first five or six games that I was here," Willis said. "Being sat out, you realize what you need to do when you get back in the lineup."
As for his waiver status, Willis said he is aware but unconcerned.
"The main thing for me is to be ready for the next opportunity to go in and play well again," he said.
SCHEDULE MADNESS: If you thought December was rough, with nine of 15 games on the road, check this out:
After a five-game homestand that ends Jan. 3 the Lightning plays 13 of its next 17 on the road entering the All-Star break and plays 19 games in 36 days from Jan. 2 through Feb. 5.
ISLANDERS: Center Alexei Yashin is expected to miss 10-12 weeks after partially severing tendons in his right wrist during Tuesday's game. His right arm was cut by the skate of Flyers center Michal Handzus during a scramble that led to Arron Asham's tying goal.
The cut resulted in two partially-severed extensor tendons and a severed sensory nerve. Yashin, who is tied for the team lead in scoring with 24 points, including 12 goals in 33 games, had surgery and will be in a cast four weeks before rehabilitation can begin.