St. Louis knows more shots needed
By EDUARDO A. ENCINA, Times Staff Writer
Published November 24, 2007
RALEIGH, N.C. - If there's one reason why it has been tough for Marty St. Louis to play on the same line as Vinny Lecavalier, it's because Lecavalier gets open so often that St. Louis finds himself thinking pass first.
Both have been magnificent of late, playing roles in both second-period goals Friday against Carolina.
But St. Louis, who had two assists Friday and own points in nine of his past 10 games, agrees with coach John Tortorella's assessment that he must shoot more. St. Louis entered Friday sixth on the team with 51.
"I'm my biggest critic, and I know I have to shoot more," said St. Louis, who had just one in Wednesday's 2-1 loss to the Rangers. "The thing is that when you play with a guy like Vinny, he gets himself open a lot so you tend to maybe look for him. But there are definitely times when I can take it myself. I've got to make better decisions in the red zone and in the scoring area."
Tortorella trusts St. Louis will become more aggressive.
"Marty knows his game," Tortorella said. "He knows what he needs to do. I think that will add to it even more and shooting the puck more will be more of an asset to him."
MAKING AN IMPACT: Tortorella said he liked the spark Mathieu Darche added to the third line Wednesday, his first game since being recalled from the minors, and rewarded him with another start Friday.
"I think he gave that line a different dynamic," Tortorella said of Darche, who played with Chris Gratton and Ryan Craig. "That was probably one of our best offensive lines against the Rangers. If he continues to play that way, he's not going anywhere."
If all things were equal and the Lightning could carry 21 players throughout the season, Tortorella said Darche would be here. But he was sent to Norfolk mainly as a budgetary decision.
"I feel a lot better that he's back because he didn't deserve to be sent down," Tortorella said. "Having said that, he has to keep his edge."
That wasn't lost on Darche.
"I've got 40 NHL games in my career," he said. "So even if I play five good games in a row, every game I think I have something to prove."
ODDS AND ENDS: Paul Ranger, who sat Wednesdaywith a shoulder injury, scored his fourth goal in five games and played 26:14. ... Lecavalier has seven goals and 15 assists in his past 10 games. ...Jason Ward, a healthy scratch Wednesday, returned to center the fourth line. Andreas Karlsson andDan Jancevski were healthy scratches. ... The Lightning had Thanksgiving dinner at a Ruth Chris Steak House near its hotel, which opened specifically for it. The menu included steak, swordfish and, of course, turkey.
TONIGHT
Lightning vs. Devils
When/where: 7:30; St. Pete Times Forum, Tampa
TV/radio: Ch. 66; 620-AM
Injuries: New Jersey -Wing Cam Janssen is out (shoulder). Defenseman Karel Rachunek (personal) is day to day. Tampa Bay -Defenseman Dan Boyle (wrist) is out.
Key stats: The teams have split two games. ... Tampa Bay has lost three straight but is 8-2-1 at home. ... The Devils have won three straight and are led by Zach Parise's 20 points (eight goals and 12 assists).