The leash Lightning coach John Tortorella holds on Nikolai Khabibulin is getting shorter and shorter. It has to be, don't you think?
The goalie is still expected to be the starter when the playoffs begin, most likely April 8 at the St. Pete Times Forum. But because Khabibulin is driving the coaching staff nuts, allowing goals at the worst times on seemingly stoppable shots, don't expect Tortorella to cut him much slack if that persists.
In fact, an argument can be made that had backup John Grahame shown a little more a few weeks ago, he might have taken the starting job away from Khabibulin. That is just an educated guess. The reality seems to be Khabibulin is the man.
And that means Khabibulin must be better.
Yes, it's easy to blame the goalie when things go wrong. Many times, goalies are left to clean up the mess left by teammates. The Lightning's 5-4 overtime loss Monday to the Senators was a prime example.
Khabibulin should have stopped Mike Fisher's shot that gave Ottawa a 4-3 lead with 1:09 left in the third period. But in a tight game, Fisher shouldn't have been so open. Khabibulin couldn't fight through a screen on Chris Phillips' winner from the high slot. But why wasn't someone eliminating the screen?
Mitigating circumstances aside, the fact remains, those are just the kinds of game-turning saves Khabibulin is expected to make. And in the playoffs, when the Lightning likely won't have the luxury of the 3.6 goals it has averaged since January, they are saves the team must have.
Not to be crass, but that is why the Lightning could pay Khabibulin this season, with bonuses, up to $5.8-million. That includes a $4.5-million base salary, $1-million because the team made the playoffs and up to $250,000 in incentives tied to victories, goals-against average and save percentage.
A little context.
No one should forget what Khabibulin has meant to this franchise. He was the beacon when it was getting on its feet. And he gave Tortorella the ability to accelerate the implementation of his puck pursuit system; a system, by the way, based on the notion Khabibulin would stop the opposition's odd-man rushes and scoring chances created by Tampa Bay's all-out push for offense.
He should have been named the MVP at the 2002 All-Star Game. He was named the best goalie at the 2002 Olympics in Salt Lake City.
His 16-game unbeaten streak last season propelled Tampa Bay to its first playoff appearance since 1996, and he won his first playoff series with a spectacular 60-save effort in a 2-1 victory over the Capitals in Game 6 of the East quarterfinals.
The problem is those moments have been few and far between this season. Khabibulin was brilliant March 8 when he made 28 saves in a 1-1 tie with the Red Wings, and he shut out the Avalanche on March 1. But he has not stolen a win for the Lightning since a 2-1 decision over the Flyers on Feb. 2.
Khabibulin appeared to be getting back to his old self during his 9-0-1 streak from Feb. 23 to March 12 in which he had a .919 save percentage. But since then, he is 3-3-0 with a .903 save percentage. Overall, his goals-against average of 2.33 is 21st and save percentage of .910 tied for 26th among goalies with at least 20 games.
In the playoffs, that won't be good enough.
So which Khabibulin will we see? The one who robbed Ottawa's Martin Havlat twice within 15 seconds in the first period or the one who let Fisher's goal go between his arm and body. The one who earned his 28th victory Saturday with a solid 4-1 win over the Capitals or the one who last week against the Devils whiffed on Patrik Elias' wrist shot?
It is the most important question of the season.
TIEBREAKERS: The Lightning, with 104 points, is one behind the Red Wings in the race for the league's top spot and in need of three points (or three points not gained by the Bruins) to clinch the East. In case of ties, here is how deadlocks will be broken.
a) Games won.
b) Head-to-head play.
c) Goal differential.
Tampa Bay and Detroit tied 1-1 in their only meeting, so goal differential is key. The Red Wings have scored 67 more goals than allowed (248-181). The Lightning has scored 53 more (240-187). Tampa Bay holds all the tiebreakers over Boston.
DONATIONS ACCEPTED: Collection bins will be at all entrances of the Times Forum Thursday to allow fans to support the Just Play program by donating used, but usable, sports equipment. For details, call Liz Willyoung or Ingrid Bayer at (813) 349-8540.
