St. Louis won't pay attention to scoring chase

By Damian Cristodero, Times Staff Writer
Published February 17, 2008

TAMPA - Very quietly, Marty St. Louis is gaining on the leaders and is tied for sixth in the league with 71 points. The Lightning right wing said he isn't keeping track.

"Numbers will mean something when we get into the playoffs," he said. "Then you're really accomplishing something."

Besides, St. Louis said, he has not been at the top of his game despite four goals and 18 points in his past 13 games.

"You can't judge how you're playing by the numbers," he said. "You have to really notice how your game is, and I know I can play better."

Coach John Tortorella agreed - "I'd just like to see a little bit more puck possession" - and threw in Vinny Lecavalier, who has just two goals in his past 10 games and 17 shots in his past six.

"I don't think our top line has been dead on top of their game the past few weeks," Tortorella said. "I'm not saying they're going to dominate every game. They need to do more. This isn't a criticism. This is where our team is. They've played good, but we need them to be great consistently."

Lecavalier, for a while the consensus top player in the league, is second with 76 points. St. Louis is on pace for 99 points, only three fewer than last season's career high and five more than 2003-04, when he led the league.

"For us to do what we need to do, to be playing after the regular season, our top line is going to have to be better," Tortorella said.

ON OVECHKIN: The Lightning put defensemen Dan Boyle and Paul Ranger on Alex Ovechkin, Tortorella said, because they skate well enough to keep up with the Capitals superstar.

"He's a different animal," Tortorella said. "You're not going to stop him. You try to limit him and make sure you're as physical on him as he is on you."

NO CALLS: The Lightning had just one power play and has just 11 in its past six games despite much time in the offensive zone.

"How the penalties are called each and every night, it's different every night," Tortorella said. "I am not putting blame anywhere. We just haven't gotten many calls."

ODDS AND ENDS: Forward Craig MacDonald played without a full face shield for the first time since a Dec.20 injury. He received 50 stitches and lost nine teeth when hit by a puck. ... Defenseman Brad Lukowich abdomen/groin and forward Andreas Karlsson, who returned after missing three days because of a personal matter, were scratched.

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

[Last modified February 17, 2008, 01:08:06]