GM wants to see killer instinct

By DAMIAN CRISTODERO, Times Staff Writer
Published December 3, 2007

Mathieu Darche, center, celebrates his goal with 58.6 seconds left in the second period that put the Lightning up 3-1 against the Bruins on Saturday.
	[Stephen J. Coddington | Times]

TAMPA - That the Lightning beat the Bruins on Saturday to snap a six-game losing streak was one thing. How it did it, responding well to critical situations, gave general manager Jay Feaster reason to smile.

Mathieu Darche'sgoal with 58.6 seconds left in the second period came 74 seconds after the Bruins closed to 2-1. A third-period goal sealed the 4-1 victory.

That a day after Feaster bemoaned the team's lack of a "killer instinct" during recent losses to the Thrashers and Hurricanes, in which the Lightning gagged on two-goal, third-period leads.

"There are certain players in this league who when they have their foot on your throat, they look you in the eye, with a gleam in their eye, and tell you, 'Now I'm going to break your larynx,'" Feaster said.

"I don't know individually or collectively that we have that killer instinct yet; that we are able to say, 'My foot's on your throat, now we're going to take you out.' Until we get that killer instinct mentality, that's what causes ebbs and flows."

Feaster said that type of player is a "rare breed," and referenced Detroit defenseman Chris Chelios: "He's not going to let you up. He's not going to let you breathe. That's where we have to be."

RESCHEDULING: That the league's board of governors approved a new scheduling format for next season was just fine with Feaster. Not just because every team will play each other, which does not happen under the current system, but because games against division rivals will go from eight to six.

"It's going to add travel to us, clearly," Feaster said. "But I think it's a great thing for our fans and our hockey team."

Whether it is the lack of historical animosity or the lack of tradition, Southeast Division teams do not draw well when matched.

Tampa Bay this season has drawn an average announced crowd of 18,872. Its smallest were against division rivals Florida 16,526 and Carolina (17,444). The largest, a sellout of 20,110, was against the Atlantic division Rangers.

"Despite the fact that we should (draw well) because we're battling to win the division, we don't have the same kind of rivalry with Southeast Division teams we have with others," Feaster said.

"So I think it's kind of stale, and we are the one division where that is the anomaly."

GOOD COMPANY: It won't be long before John Tortorella is the winningest U.S.-born coach. The Boston native's 219 victories are tied for third with the late Herb Brooks. Robbie Ftorek is second at 229. The late Bob Johnson leads with 234.

ODDS AND ENDS: Tortorella said Chris Gratton's defensive play has improved. But the center, who is being counted on for 15 goals, has just three and none in 20 games. ... Is the Lightning catching the East-leading Senators at the right time? Ottawa, 10-2 against Tampa Bay the past three seasons and 5-1 at the St. Pete Times Forum, has lost six straight (two in shootouts) and seven of eight entering Tuesday's matchup. ... Vinny Prospal's13 goals are one off last season's total. But the left wing has just one goal in his past eight games.

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

[Last modified December 2, 2007, 21:49:41]