Trio of stars gets plenty of ice time

By DAMIAN CRISTODERO, Times Staff Writer
Published November 17, 2007

TAMPA - Lightning center Brad Richards entered Friday leading the league's forwards with an average 24:35 of ice time. Right wing Marty St. Louis was second at 24:04, and center Vinny Lecavalier was 11th at 22:16.

Coach John Tortorella said he would give them more ice time if he could without forfeiting time for his third- and fourth-liners.

"I'd like to give them 24, 25, 26 minutes," Tortorella said. "They're in shape. I think they get plenty of rest as they go through the year with the time off we give them."

Tortorella took some heat last season for giving his forwards similar ice time.

"It's not in the coaches manual you have to play them 19, 20 minutes," he said. "They're our best players offensively. I bet they're our best players defensively, and I think you have a better chance to win games when they're on the ice that much. I don't buy the waterline of 20 minutes."

"This league, you've got to win now and worry about later later," said Richards, who played 26:09 against Washington. "Taking care of yourself is a big thing. Get rest, do the little things to make sure you stay away from injuries. Lots of rest is very important."

INTERESTING MOVE: The Ducks put goalie Ilya Bryzgalov on waivers to make room for Swiss prospect Jonas Hiller. If Bryzgalov is not claimed by noon today, he will go to Anaheim's AHL affiliate in Portland, Maine.

Bryzgalov has been linked to the Lightning in trade rumors and has $900,000 left on his $1.362-million contract. He must clear waivers again to be called up. If claimed on recall waivers, the Ducks would be responsible for half of his salary.

General manager Jay Feaster declined comment when asked if he would put in a claim.

CANCER FIGHT: The game was watched by more than 4,000 fans of the cancer community as part of the seventh annual Tampa Bay Fights Cancer Night. The tickets were available through the Yerrid Foundation, established by Tampa lawyer Steve Yerrid, and the Lightning Foundation.

ODDS AND ENDS: Lecavalier extended his team-record streak of multipoint games to seven. ... The Lightning blocked 25 shots. Mike Lundin and Paul Ranger had four each. ...Andre Roy had his first fight in 10 games when he battled Donald Brashear in the first. ... The Capitals are 0-10 when allowing a power-play goal.

Damian Cristodero can be reached at cristodero@sptimes.com.

[Last modified November 17, 2007, 01:24:54]