'Simple' works for Lightning third line
Gratton, MacDonald and Tarnasky have provided a spark during a 4-0-1 run.
By Damian Cristodero, Times Staff Writer
Published February 16, 2008
TAMPA - The Mac-Grat-Sky line. Sometimes a name just fits.
It certainly doesn't roll off the tongue, which is fine because the Lightning's scrappy third line of center Chris Gratton and wings Craig MacDonald and Nick Tarnasky is perfect in its inelegance.
Instead of making fancy passes, they chip the puck from the defensive zone.
They screen the net, dump the puck, chase and forecheck.
"We just want to compete," Tarnasky said.
They have changed momentums of games with their energy, defended leads in the final minutes, turned their backs to keep pucks from the opposition.
Tampa Bay is 4-0-1 during Mac-Grat-Skys' existence and back in the Southeast race.
"It's simple hockey," MacDonald said. "We're three big bodies. We try to hold onto the puck and, when we can, bring it to the net."
Who knows how long it will last. Coach John Tortorella breaks up lines quickly if they falter. For now, though, the Lightning has an energy line that keeps the puck from opponents and plays in all situations. That takes pressure off the top lines.
The fourth line made up, variably, of Jason Ward, Andre Roy, Andreas Karlsson and Mathieu Darche, does that, too. And Ward scored in Thursday's victory over the Flyers.
"Our third and fourth lines have ignited us," Tortorella said.
But Mac-Grat-Sky has done it most consistently and averages about 15 minutes of ice time.
How far have these guys come? Consider MacDonald still is averaging only 8:44, Gratton 12:36, Tarnasky 7:22. Each has been a healthy scratch. MacDonald was in AHL Norfolk in November.
"You can see I'm using different people in different situations because they've stepped up," Tortorella said.
"I wasn't looking to them prior, but they deserve these opportunities."
"We're in our playoffs now," said Gratton of the final 24 games, including tonight's division showdown with the Capitals at the St. Pete Times Forum. "Every game, every shift is critical, so to be out there contributing is a great feeling."
Mac-Grat-Sky is the sum of its parts. Gratton, 6 feet 4, 226 pounds, and Tarnasky, 6-2, 224, are big bodies who cycle, hit and create traffic. MacDonald is solid defensively. His pursuit of a Flyers defender caused the turnover that led to Ward's goal.
Each has a good shot, though goals are a bonus. Each is a relentless skater.
"We're starting to know each other's tendencies," Gratton said. "We're learning from each other."
"I know if I make a mistake," Tarnasky said, "one or both of them will be there to cover for me and vice versa."
They also have become friends. They go to dinner on the road, talk hockey. MacDonald, 30, and Gratton, 32, school Tarnasky, 23.
"We can help him with the little things like mental focus," MacDonald said. "We have to do those little things or we're not going to get back out there."
"A short leash," Tortorella said. "They don't have the comfort of the minutes of our core guys."
But like their nickname, they seem to fit.
Damian Cristodero can be reached at cristodero@sptimes.com.