Sports: Players eager to start playing

Players eager to start playing

By DAMIAN CRISTODERO

HALIFAX, Nova Scotia -- Right wing Matthew Barnaby finally can throw a body check. Left wing Fredrik Modin finally can unload the NHL's hardest shot.

Goals and saves will count for something today as the Lightning opens its preseason against the Senators at the Metro Centre.

"It's always fun to play a real game," Barnaby said. "It's nice to get your hands back and be able to finish your checks. It's tough to finish checks against guys on your own team. It's tough to agitate."

Tampa Bay finished five days of scrimmages Monday at the Ice Palace.

"You try to keep it as game-like as possible, but it's tough playing against your teammates," Modin said.

So what do tonight's game and Wednesday's game against the Blue Jackets in Syracuse, N.Y., mean? Barnaby wouldn't mind a couple of victories.

"You want to win every game," he said. "Winning breeds confidence and it turns into good things on the ice."

But with the team focused on conditioning, things like special teams have yet to be addressed, though they will be touched upon during today's team meeting.

Coach John Tortorella figures the Senators and Blue Jackets are in the same boat. In other words, the games could be a little rough around the edges while the players acclimated to game conditions.

Either way, scoring more than the opposition would be good.

"You always love to win it and I think we need to get that type of attitude," Tortorella said. "When any athlete is skating against another team, at this level, he should think about winning."

KEEFE STAYS BEHIND: Right wing Sheldon Keefe, serving penance in the prospects camp for refusing a minor-league assignment last season, did not make the trip.

Tortorella said Keefe has had a "a very good camp. He is working hard so there are no complaints." He added, however, Keefe is still "building the foundation" of his status with the team. "Nothing is given," Tortorella said.

Said Keefe: "Obviously, I'd like to go and show what I can do in a real game. But that's not the case and John made that decision and that's fine. I'll just stay here and continue to work hard and wait for my opportunity."

ODDS AND ENDS: Tortorella said Nikolai Khabibulin and Kevin Weekes will split time against the Senators. ... Defensemen Nolan Pratt (groin) and Kristian Kudroc (broken nose) made the trip. ... The white team beat the black 4-2 in a 40-minute scrimmage. The line of Modin, center Brad Richards and right wing Martin St. Louis had seven points. St. Louis had two goals, Richards had three assists and Modin had a goal and an assist. ... The Senators, who traded Alexei Yashin to the Islanders, also are without forwards Daniel Alfredsson, Zdeno Chara and Marian Hossa, all holdouts.