Time constraints yield tight schedule

Because of a long break in February, the Lightning will get a steady dose of games on consecutive days.

By TOM JONES
Published July 28, 2005

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TAMPA - The Lightning already planned on a demanding training camp with an emphasis on conditioning.

After catching a glimpse at the NHL schedule, which was released Wednesday, the Lightning might need to draw up plans to stress conditioning even more.

Because the NHL is taking 16 days off (Feb.12-27) for the Olympics, a compressed schedule has the Lightning playing on back-to-back nights a whopping 19 times this season.

"Our conditioning level is going to have to be even better than it was in 2003-04 because that was one of the keys to our success," Lightning general manager Jay Feaster said. "Because of the Olympic break, it's imperative to be in the very best shape possible."

One thing the Lightning won't do is complain. First, most teams have a similar schedule crammed with back-to-back games. And, well, it's just not the Lightning's way to pout about the schedule.

"Any time you start to whine about the schedule, it becomes an excuse, and you don't want to have any excuses," Feaster said.

"One of the things (coach John Tortorella) and I set out about doing when we took over was to not complain about external factors. And we're not going to complain about the schedule."

Other than the 19 back-to-backs, there isn't much reason to complain.

The opener will be at home against Carolina on Oct.5, when the Lightning finally will be able to raise the 2004 Stanley Cup banner. Four of the first five games are at home, and the Lightning, traditionally quick starters under Tortorella, plays only one team that made the playoffs in 2004 in the first eight games.

The longest road trip isn't too bad: a five-game trip (March7-14) that takes the Lightning to Pittsburgh, Buffalo, Toronto, Montreal and Ottawa.

The toughest stretch looks to be in January, when the Lightning plays eight of nine games on the road, including a trip to the West Coast. Early January is when the St. Pete Times Forum will be hosting the circus. Coming down the stretch also appears manageable for the Lightning.

It doesn't leave the Eastern time zone after Jan.20, and in the final month of the season, the Lightning's only road trips are three visits to Sunrise to play the Panthers, two visits to Raleigh, N.C., to play the Hurricanes and one visit to Washington to play the Capitals.

The NHL's new unbalanced schedule is designed to create divisional rivalries, meaning the Lightning will play the other teams in the Southeast Division (Capitals, Hurricanes, Thrashers and Panthers) eight times. The Lightning will play the other teams in the Eastern Conference four times. That leaves only 10 games against the Western Conference. The Lightning will host teams from the Central Division (Red Wings, Blues, Blackhawks, Blue Jackets and Predators) and visit the Pacific Division (Mighty Ducks, Kings, Coyotes, Sharks and Stars).

It will not play the Northwest Division, which includes the Wild, Canucks, Oilers, Avalanche and Flames, the team it beat to win the Cup.

[Last modified July 28, 2005, 01:10:15]