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Lightning/NHL

'Inexcusable:' Collapse raises more questions

By DAMIAN CRISTODERO
Published April 10, 2006

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	[AP photo]
	Florida Panthers defenseman Ric Jackman pushes Ruslan Fedotenko away from the net during Sunday's game.

SUNRISE - How many ways can you describe awful? Because that is how many ways to describe the Lightning's play Sunday against the Panthers.

It wasn't so much Tampa Bay allowed five third-period goals in a 6-3 loss at the BankAtlantic Center, or that it tied a franchise record by allowing 48 shots on goal.

It wasn't just goaltender John Grahame, who, though under siege, didn't make crucial saves when needed, or that center Tim Taylor failed to clear the puck as the goal that snapped a 3-3 tie developed.

No, what it came down to was the Lightning, fighting for a playoff spot, could not muster enough effort to beat a nonplayoff team.

How bad was the effort? Coach John Tortorella declined to speak to reporters after the game, preferring, presumably, to cool off rather than blow his top.

"We're just not doing enough right now," center Brad Richards said. "We're not trying to win games. We're hoping. There's no other way to put it. You can break it down with a bunch of fancy other words and phrases, but when you hope to win games, you don't do it."

Said Taylor: "For us to play like that is inexcusable."

Especially with a playoff spot so tantalizingly close.

Tampa Bay is seventh in the East with 89 points. It can eliminate the Thrashers and put the Maple Leafs on life support with a victory Tuesday over Atlanta at the St. Pete Times Forum.

Still, the fact remains that with a chance to put a shoe to the necks of both - Atlanta is six points back, Toronto seven with five games left - Tampa Bay let them gasp for air.

Two main issues, the Lightning's road woes and its third-period softness.

Tampa Bay gave itself breathing room last week with three straight home wins. Still, it let the Thrashers tie a game with 4.3 seconds remaining in the third period before winning a shootout and Saturday could not build on a 1-0 lead against the lowly Penguins.

Against the Panthers, Tampa Bay led 2-1 entering the third period after Dan Boyle's backdoor, power-play goal from Vinny Prospal with 39.3 seconds left in the second.

That made the collapse worse as Tampa Bay, 18-19-3 on the road, lost for the seventh time in its past eight games away from the Times Forum.

"We felt the third period was going to be our strength," associate coach Craig Ramsay said. "But it's almost like the pressure is getting to us and we're sitting back and being a little bit too careful at times and allowing teams to come to us. It's something we need to talk about."

"It seems like Groundhog Day," Richards said. "We win a couple at home and lose on the road, then we've got to win a game at home."

That would be Tuesday's showdown with the Thrashers.

"There's no question in my mind this team will respond," Ramsay said. "We have every time we've gotten ourselves in a corner."

Isn't it a shame, though, that is what it takes for the defending Stanley Cup champions to find its game?

The Lightning had its moments.

Dmitry Afanasenkov had two assists. Prospal had a goal and an assist. And Vinny Lecavalier made a terrific through-the-legs move before passing to Marty St. Louis, who tied the score at 3 9:25 into the third period.

But Juraj Kolnik scored twice and Joe Nieuwendyk had an empty-netterin the final 5:05 to cap a season series Florida won 6-2, including two wins in overtime.

And this ...

Olli Jokinen's two goals gave him 36, nine against the Lightning. Florida had 23 shots in the second period, the most against Tampa Bay this season.

Goalie Jamie McClennan, making his first start since March17 for the resting Roberto Luongo, was rarely tested.

"We have got to figure this out," Richards said.

"I don't think everybody is prepared, maybe. That might not be the answer, either. But no one is going to prepare you to play. You have to do it yourself."

It shouldn't be so awfully difficult.

[Last modified April 10, 2006, 01:57:35]

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