WASHINGTON - While watching the Lightning play the Flyers from the press box Monday, Tampa Bay left wing Andre Roy did some play-by-play in English and French.
"You have to have some fun with it," Roy said Tuesday.
A healthy scratch in 15 consecutive games, that's about all Roy can do.
In what he called one of the most frustrating stretches of his career, Roy apparently fell victim to the Lightning's hot streak.
Coach John Tortorella always has been loathe to tweak a winning lineup. With Tampa Bay on a 12-2-0-2 run entering the game with the Capitals, there has been little impetus to change.
"We're playing well, and I want to be part of it," Roy said. "He knows what I can do and what I bring if he wants to play me."
"It's tough for anybody," Tortorella said. "But it's part of the game, and we expect him to handle it the right way."
That means skating hard during practices, doing his conditioning and waiting his turn. In the meantime, a little play-by-play helps to pass the time.
"I was just kind of kidding around," Roy said.
"I've been sitting out for a while. ... I was (upset) at the start. But there's nothing I can do."
Except have a little fun with it.
O FROM THE D: One of the bigger changes for Tampa Bay through its 12-2-0-2 stretch has been greater offensive production from the defense.
In the season's first 36 games, Lightning defensemen had 14 goals and 28 assists for 42 points. In its past 16 games, they had 10 goals and 23 assists for 33 points.
Put another way, blueliners averaged 1.17 points in the first 36 games and 2.06 thereafter, a huge jump.
"You need that in today's game, especially the way we play," Tortorella said. "We want our D involved in the neutral zone as far as jamming and getting involved offensively inside the blue line."
The biggest improvements were by Dan Boyle, who had two goals and 12 points in his first 36 games, and two goals and 10 points in his next 16; Brad Lukowich, who had three goals and six points compared with one and six; and Pavel Kubina, who had seven goals and 13 points compared with five and eight.
ODDS AND ENDS: Speculation is Olaf Kolzig could be traded to the goalie-poor Flyers before the weekend. ... The stint at AHL Hershey for defenseman Darren Rumble has been extended until at least today. ... Defenseman Nolan Pratt was scratched. ... With four goals in three games for Hershey, right wing Shane Willis was AHL player of the week for the week ending Sunday. ... The Capitals are a division-best 8-3-1-1 in games played within the Southeast.
