Boyle barely tested in return to ice
Dan Boyle returned to the Lightning lineup for Monday night's game against the Rangers at Madison Square Garden, but it wasn't for the sizable ice time the defenseman usually receives.
By EDUARDO A. ENCINA
Published October 30, 2007
NEW YORK - Dan Boyle returned to the Lightning lineup for Monday night's game against the Rangers at Madison Square Garden, but it wasn't for the sizable ice time the defenseman usually receives.
Boyle, who missed the first nine games after a falling skate blade sliced three tendons in his left wrist, was credited with playing 11:38, but given the trouble the league has had with accurately recording ice time on its new shift-by-shift time sheets, that number could not be totally trusted.
Most of Boyle's ice time came on the power play and while the team was playing four-on-four hockey. Last season, Boyle ranked second in the NHL in total ice time.
"It's pretty hard," Boyle said. "I didn't get anything done. But I didn't hurt myself, so that's got to be a positive."
Boyle wasn't tested too much physically. Puck battles didn't come his way.
"It just didn't happen," he said. "So I guess in the big picture it was a good thing, but certainly there's a long way to go."
Boyle gives the Lightning eight defensemen, so the team must make a move soon, but it might be waiting to see how Boyle's wrist reacts to game action.
Because the Lightning recalled Matt Smaby on Monday morning, likely to go is Doug Janik, who would have to clear waivers before he is assigned to Norfolk.
A TIRESOME TRIP: Smaby, who returned after he was sent to Norfolk to play in three games in three days to get more playing time, was looking forward to a well-deserved nap after Monday's pregame skate.
"The first two (games) I thought were great," he said. "I got my feet under me right away. I did good things right off the bat. I think the third game, I was a little tired and it caught up to me. I didn't move my feet as much, but I still made some good plays. Overall, I can take a lot of stuff from that trip."
Smaby woke up at 6:30 Friday morning for his flight to Norfolk, arrived at 3:30 and went to the arena. After two games in Norfolk, he was bused to Philadelphia for Sunday's game, after which he took a train to New York.
"I finally got to sit down and relax a little bit," Smaby said of the train ride.
MACDONALD RATTLED: Fourth-line center Craig MacDonald left during the first period and needed stitches to his upper lip when his visor cut him on a jarring hit from Rangers defenseman Fedor Tyutin, which knocked MacDonald's helmet off and flung it 20 feet into the corner. MacDonald returned in the second and logged 7:51 in ice time.
ODDS AND ENDS: Monday marked Lightning forward Brad Richards' 500th career game. ... New York is 12-3-0 in its past 15 games at Madison Square Garden dating to March. ... Rangers goaltender Hendrik Lundqvist is 5-2-2 against the Lightning.