Kuba receives glowing praise from Tortorella

By DAMIAN CRISTODERO, Times Staff Writer
Published December 9, 2007

TAMPA - An argument can be made Filip Kuba is the quietest Lightning player. It is the defenseman's play that is resonating.

"It's probably some of the best hockey I've seen him play since he's been here," coach John Tortorella said. "You don't get a peep out of Kubes. But I think mentally, he has really tried to step up here."

Kuba has three goals and 14 points and at plus-14 is among the league's leaders. His average 24:58 of ice time entering Saturday dwarfed last season's 20:12.

Several factors seem at play: Kuba, 30, is a year older and better. He has perfected using his long stick as a defensive weapon and to help him win puck battles, part of his game that was deficient last season. And more power play time because of Dan Boyle's absence has helped his confidence.

"I just think he's raised his level," Tortorella said. "He knows he's a huge piece, especially with Danny's injury."

"You always want to improve from the previous year," said Kuba, who has three goals and 10 points in his past 14 games. "I just want to be solid, reliable and do the best for the team."

ON THE CLOCK: It will be interesting to see how long Tortorella sticks with Jan Hlavac as the left wing on Brad Richards' line. Brought in as a finisher, Hlavac has four goals overall and none in his past nine games. He also has had several recent defensive lapses.

"That's my biggest thing I have to work on," Hlavac said of his defense.

Tortorella does not usually show such patience. Michel Ouellet, with five goals, was recently demoted from Richards' line to the fourth. But Hlavac, at least, has been around the net.

"I don't think about it," he said of a demotion. "I'm trying to do my best every night."

ON THE BENCH: Tortorella said Andre Roy has not played badly. Yet the wing entered Saturday averaging a team-low 4:44 of ice time.

"I'm trying," Tortorella said of getting Roy more time. "But I play my top guys a lot, and it doesn't always work out for ice time for that fourth line."

Roy played 1:10 on three shifts against the Islanders but stood tall with a slim decision in a second-period fight with Chris Simon.

"It gets frustrating, but it's something I have to deal with," Roy said before the game. "Just try to keep in good shape, play hard and, hopefully, I'll get a chance to play a little more."

OFF THE ICE: Lightning center Craig MacDonald was a healthy scratch. And the Islanders scratched ex-Lightning wing Ruslan Fedotenko, who has no goals in his past 10 games,with a shoulder injury.

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

[Last modified December 9, 2007, 00:27:04]