Slapshots

Short-handed blue line

The Flyers, already depleted on defense because of Eric Desjardins' broken arm, took another hit Friday when it was announced Marcus Ragnarsson will miss the rest of the playoffs with a broken left index finger. Ragnarsson, who had surgery Friday, played just three shifts in Game 3 before leaving.

"It's the same thing that's been going on all year," Flyers coach Ken Hitchcock said. "We'll have to get over it and get used to it."

Hitchcock said rookie Joni Pitkanen, a healthy scratch the past two games, will dress for Game 4. He will be paired with Sami Kapanen, a converted forward. Dennis Seidenberg will be called up from the AHL.

Ragnarsson had three assists in Game 2 and a goal and five assists in 14 playoff games. Hitchcock called him the best defenseman in the series.

Pitkanen has three assists in 12 playoff games and is minus-5. Hitchcock said he wants more offense.

"We want him to be fearless with the puck," he said. "We want him to take off and go."

Fredrik Modin continues to impress. The Lightning left wing played 19:54 in Game 3 and had an assist to give him 14 points, tying him with teammate Martin St. Louis and Calgary's Jarome Iginla for the playoff lead. But coach John Tortorella put the spotlight on Modin's defense that has helped elevate him to a playoff-high plus-12.

"I consider Freddy one of the better power forwards in this league right now," Tortorella said. "He does not hurt you defensively and, in fact, excels defensively. When he's playing with (center Brad Richards) and whoever we have on that other wing, he brings a steady presence defensively and helps that line control the puck offensively."

Canada will announce its national team today for this summer's World Cup tournament, and St. Louis is expected to be named. The Lightning wing led the league with 94 points and is a leading candidate for MVP.

Richards and fellow center Vinny Lecavalier are being considered for the team chosen with the help of Hitchcock, an associate coach for Canada.

Teams must announce by May 25. Sweden will announce Monday.

The Lightning should be well represented. Goalie John Grahame is being considered by the U.S. team. Modin should be a strong candidate for Sweden, goalie Nikolai Khabibulin for Russia and defenseman Pavel Kubina for the Czech Republic.

The United States won the first World Cup in 1996.

The Flyers' power play was boppin' along at 20 percent efficiency entering the series. But a 1-for-16 slump has dropped Philadelphia to 15.7 percent (8-for-51).

"They have done a good job," Flyers captain Keith Primeau said of the Lightning, "and we have maybe made some bad decisions. The bottom line is we didn't get the job done. We have to address it."

"We are not working there," left wing Mark Recchi said. "They do a good job pressing from their forwards, but the key is we have to be a lot more determined. We have to be retrieving loose pucks, making the right plays."

What is it about home ice in this series? Both the Lightning and Flyers had opportunities on home ice to take control but failed. The Lightning lost 6-2 in Game 2. The Flyers lost 4-1 in Game 3.

"I think the pressure is on to win at home," Lightning captain Dave Andreychuk said. "You play a lot different game. I know our team has a lot different game on the road. We're a lot more simple team."

"They want you to score goals, we understand that," Primeau said of the fans. "Not just this time of year. It's every game. It's every situation. You hear that, so instead of us being patient and trying to find the right shot or right lane, we rush things."

Still, Andreychuk said, "Home ice. If you can get some momentum, you want to have it."

Tortorella had high praise for left wing Andre Roy, who did not retaliate in Game 3 when hit high by Primeau. Roy has worked all season on controlling his emotions.

"We knew he could play," Tortorella said. "But you just have to tune him in a little as far as the mental part of the game. I like the kid. He has much to offer. It's just a matter of channeling it and understanding composure within the game."

"I know I'm not perfect," Roy said. "But right now in the playoffs, it's huge. I tried not to get carried away. One penalty can change a game or a series. I tried to take them and not react and take any dumb penalties."

After a physical Game 3 victory, the Lightning's practice Friday morning was optional, but it sure didn't look it. Almost everyone participated in the light, 30-minute session.

"They want to play. They enjoy the game," Tortorella said. "After a good, hard tilt by both teams, I think the camaraderie comes into it in being on the ice."

With today's game scheduled for 3 p.m., the team will not have its customary morning skate. Friday's practice was the only chance for players to be on the ice between games.

"We're tired from (Thursday) night, but at the same time we're playing at 3 and we're not practicing in the morning," center Vinny Lecavalier said. "This is a way to get our legs going a little bit. But everybody did skate, so it shows how hungry we are."

Defenseman Brad Lukowich, who missed Game 3 with an upper-body injury, participated in practice and said he felt better than on Thursday. He will skate again this morning then decide whether to play in Game 4.

Injuries forced Hitchcock to play Kapanen on defense this season, a move that did not surprise Darryl Sydor, who occasionally took turns at forward when he played for Hitchcock with the Stars. "I'm not surprised he's putting forwards back there and D's up front," Sydor said. "One game in Dallas I played every position because of injuries and stuff like that. He throws everything out there."

"I think about not being able to travel, not being able to be around the guys. I don't look at it like I'm scared of it, but I guess it's another start of your life. I don't know if I'm ready for that yet." - Andreychuk on retirement.

Today's lineup
Lightning