'Progressing nicely,' Boyle might play soon

By DAMIAN CRISTODERO, Times Staff Writer
Published January 19, 2008

PITTSBURGH - It may happen as soon as Tuesday against the Oilers at the St. Pete Times Forum or perhaps right after the Jan. 25-27 All-Star break, but Dan Boyle appears about ready to return to the lineup.

The puck-moving defenseman was in Baltimore on Friday getting checked out by Thomas Graham, the head of the National Hand Center who did the second surgery on Boyle's left wrist.

The Lightning said Boyle is "progressing nicely" but gave no timetable for his return.

Boyle is in his 10th week of recovery since the Nov. 9 procedure, smack in the middle of an assumed 8- to 12-week window. He has been skating since the end of December and shooting since Jan. 10.

"He looks good," Lightning coach John Tortorella said. "But I don't want to hear about percentages. I just want to know when he can play. And he'll play."

Boyle was hurt Sept. 22 when a skate fell from his locker and sliced three tendons. He was in the lineup five weeks after surgery but played only four games before the second surgery fixed two tendons that did not properly heal.

PEER REVIEW: Tortorella said the reason only players on Wednesday critiqued the video of Tuesday's 3-0 loss to the Avalanche was to develop peer pressure.

"The whole process from the end of the Colorado game until now was a good process in trying to create accountability," said Tortorella, who first held a 40-minute punishment skate that began at 8 a.m. "It can't always come from the coaches. It has to come from one another in that room."

The lessons continued at Friday's morning skate as Tortorella called together alternate captains Vinny Lecavalier, Marty St. Louis and Brad Richards.

The coach declined to talk about their conversation but offered this: "No matter what our record is, no matter what happens from here on in, you have to continue to fight. That's what we're trying to instill.

"This is not about embarrassing athletes. But as coaches, you need certain types of situations, certain processes to become a better team. That is what Wednesday was about."

ODDS AND ENDS: Even after thewin, the Lightning's 15 road points (6-14-3) are tied with the Kings for fewest in the league. ... Lecavalier's streaks of pointless and goal-less games reached four and five, respectively. ... The team said right wing Michel Ouellet (separated shoulder) still is a week or two away from playing. ... Forward Andreas Karlsson was a healthy scratch.

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

[Last modified January 19, 2008, 01:03:27]