Tortorella a thoughtful guy

By TOM JONES
Published January 10, 2006

TAMPA - Normally, blowing two two-goal leads in a three-goal loss would be good enough reason for coach John Tortorella to blow his top. Instead, Tortorella was in a pensive mood after Saturday's 6-3 loss at Boston.

Instead of harping on mistakes, he simply said the Lightning will roll up its sleeves to correct them.

"We're going to go back to work and we'll keep working to get this thing right," Tortorella said.

First, however, the Lightning needed a little rest. Tortorella gave the team Sunday and Monday off. It is scheduled to practice again today, but it might get another day off this week, perhaps Wednesday.

While first glance indicates the Lightning lost Saturday because of defensive breakdowns that turned a 3-1 lead into a 6-3 loss, Tortorella was more disappointed that it didn't turn the two-goal lead into a three-, four- and five-goal lead.

"We had several opportunities to put them away and we didn't do it," he said. "You can't point to one thing. There were many things that led to it. But when you have a chance to finish and put a team away, you've got to do it."

Once again, too, the Lightning's power play didn't do the team any favors. It went 0-for-5 and is scoreless in its past 32 chances.

REID RECOVERING: Prospect Darren Reid , who played four games with the NHL club earlier this season, is back in town, but not to play. Reid suffered a severe charley horse last week while playing in Springfield. He is on crutches and will be examined this week by Lightning doctors.

It's an injury similar to the one sustained by minor-leaguer Chris Taylor , brother of Lightning veteran Tim , that required three surgeries and put his career in jeopardy. General manager Jay Feaster , through a team spokesman, said last week that Reid probably will not need surgery.

MORE TV: Sun Sports is pumping up its Lightning coverage with rebroadcasts of some games. Many will be shown either later that night or the next day. Friday's game against Columbus will be televised live at 7:30 and shown again at midnight.

[Last modified January 10, 2006, 01:52:17]