Late goal extends Lightning anguish
"It's been the same story for most of the year," Dan Boyle says.
By Damian Cristodero, Times Staff Writer
Published March 7, 2008
PHILADELPHIA - Funny how an altogether different outcome can feel so much the same.
Take the Lightning's 3-2 loss Thursday night to the Flyers.
Different: The game snapped Tampa Bay's eight-game winning streak at the Wachovia Center.
The same: It was the 17th time this season Tampa Bay lost when either leading or tied after two periods. It was the second time in as many games it lost on a goal in the final two minutes after a defensive breakdown.
"It's been the same story for most of the year," defenseman Dan Boyle said. "It's very frustrating."
Jeff Carter's 25th goal, and second of the game, with 1:54 left in the third period snapped a 2-2 tie after he beat defenseman Shane O'Brien to the puck behind the Tampa Bay net.
Carter skated through the offensive zone, past Boyle and Vinny Lecavalier, before firing a shot from the high slot that somehow got past a multiplayer screen.
"They're a tough pill to swallow," goaltender Mike Smith said of the past two losses. "It's a fine line right now between winning and losing.
"We're just coming up short every night."
Well, not every night. Tampa Bay (26-34-7) actually has won one of its past nine.
On the plus side, left wing Jussi Jokinen had a two-point night and scored his first goal, 31 seconds into the game, since being acquired from the Stars in the Brad Richards deal.
Michel Ouellet scored his 11th goal and fourth in six games to tie the score 2-2 in the second. Right wing Marty St. Louis had an assist to snap a seven-game streak without a point that tied his career worst. And the penalty kill was an efficient 5-for-5.
But Lecavalier failed to score for the 11th straight game, his longest streak since February-March 2001, and had one shot and six penalty minutes. Tampa Bay was outshot 7-2 in the third period and did everything wrong on the losing goal.
"They had a three-on-three to begin with. I don't think we did a great job defending it coming into the zone," Boyle said. "Maybe being on top of the puck a little bit earlier, before he gets the puck at the back of the net. Again, things before the goal are the things we need to concentrate on."
Coach John Tortorella did not say much after the game.
About the third goal, he said, "I'm not explaining it. You guys explain it."
About Andre Roy's escapades, which included two fights with Flyers tough guy Riley Cote and an animated third-period conversation with Cote from the bench that featured finger-pointing and throat-slashing, Tortorella said, "That will be handled internally."
The Lightning's deficiencies in situational play have to be handled as well.
Daniel Briere's goal came after R.J. Umberger intercepted a clearing attempt from defenseman Paul Ranger.
Carter gave the Flyers a 2-1 first-period lead after walking around Boyle at the Tampa Bay blue line and lifting a backhander Smith probably should have stopped.
"It was all about the basics," Flyers goalie Martin Biron said. "Little things kept us in the game."
And again took Tampa Bay out.