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By DAMIAN CRISTODERO
© St. Petersburg Times, published February 19, 2001
NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Pierre McGuire likes the Lightning -- really.
The former Hartford Whalers coach, now a television analyst for Canada's TSN sports network, likes Tampa Bay so much, he said the team is a "lead-pipe cinch" to make the playoffs in 2002-03.
As for next season, McGuire said, "They will make huge strides forward. They will make major progress. They will be on the bubble (to make the playoffs)."
Strong words, considering what the team has been going through.
After Sunday night's 3-2 loss to the Predators at Gaylord Entertainment Center, the Lightning has dropped seven in a row and 21 of its past 24.
The team is on track for 55 losses. The power play is 3-for-46 (a ridiculous 6.5 percent efficiency) in its past eight games, and the penalty kill allowed 14 goals in 46 short-handed situations (a horrendous 69.6 percent efficiency) in its past 10.
McGuire said the youthful talent just needs time to develop, and he couldn't say enough about 20-year-old captain Vinny Lecavalier.
"He has the stuff you can't teach," he said.
McGuire also praised coach John Tortorella, and the addition of associate coach Craig Ramsay.
"I thought one of the biggest weaknesses from last season was that none of the coaches had any NHL experience, not one game," McGuire said. "Look, you're never going to have a perfect game plan. But if you evaluate and make proper corrections, that's good.
"I see a huge upside for Tampa. There's a chance for them to turn this thing around."
MAJOR MOVES: McGuire on the demotions to the minors of defenseman Paul Mara, 21, and right wing Sheldon Keefe, 20: "I love what they're doing sending those kids down. There's nothing wrong with going down and smelling a little diesel fuel and eating some fast food (to keep perspective)."
BROTHERS: Lightning forward Ryan Johnson said he never would fight his brother, Greg, a forward for the Predators.
"That's not us," said Ryan, 24, who is five years younger. "We're just not that type of people. Maybe some families can go down that line but we're always brothers first."
NUMBERS: Tampa Bay outshot its two previous opponents, the Bruins and Rangers, 62-44 and led in scoring chances 35-23. Tortorella said wins are a matter of time.
"That's what we're trying to preach to our guys," he said. "We just want to be rewarded."
ODDS AND ENDS: Defensemen Andrei Zyuzin and Sergey Gusev were healthy scratches.