Place an Ad Calendars Classified Forums Sports Weather

sptimes.com Text-only News sections Arts & Entertainment AP The Wire Business Citrus County Columnists Floridian Hernando County Hillsborough Letters Movies Neighborhood Times News Update North Pinellas North of Tampa Obituaries Opinion Pasco County South Pinellas Sports State Tampa Bay TV Times World & Nation  Find your local news section Weekly sections Brandon Times City Times Homes Outdoors Perspective Personal Tech Taste Travel Weekend Xpress Special Sections Arena football Buccaneers College football Devil Rays Lightning Police reports Schools Seniority Subscriber Services Subscribe Renew Help Advertise Place an ad In print Online Market Info Join Us Internships Scholarships Times Jobs Contact us

Stretch at home comes at nice time

The Lightning needs an upturn. Six games at the Ice Palace could do the trick.

By KEVIN KELLY

© St. Petersburg Times, published December 21, 2000

[Times photo: Dirk Shadd] "It's been awful, it really has," Fredrik Modin says of the Lightning power play.

BRANDON -- Drafting a hockey schedule is not easy work.

There's give. There's take.

And in the Lightning's case this season, eventually there was middle ground with the NHL.

"The very first draft of our schedule this year was fantastic, just really beautiful," assistant general manager Jay Feaster said Wednesday. "The second draft was like a train wreck for me. The third and final version is what we have now. "It's not one that everybody goes, "Wow, how did you do that?' It's not one where you go, "Oh my God, how do you have that?' But it's good."

Actually, it could not have worked out better.

Just when the Lightning could use a favorable break in the schedule, it begins a six-gamehomestand tonight against Pittsburgh.

Tampa Bay is 7-4-1 and has outscored opponents 40-31 at home this season. "You look at the way we've been playing at home and I think right now it's a godsend to be able to get home," Feaster said. "If we're able to sustain what we've been doing at home, if we're able to play that way, it's a chance for us to get back in the division race real quickly."

In part because of a league-worst 3-12-2-2 road record, the Lightning has started to lose sight of the Southeast Division leaders.

It led the division Nov. 10 but has dropped to fourth place.

"I think with the amount of games that we've played on the road the first part of the season, now is an opportunity to try and play some catch-up," forward Brian Holzinger said. "We've got some tough teams coming into town, at home, where we've played pretty well. We have to try and take advantage of that, especially if we want to keep pace with the rest of the pack in the Southeast Division."

With a 2-7-1 record in its past 10 games, the Lightning gained three points during a road trip to Colorado, Phoenix, Los Angeles and Anaheim and left some opposing players impressed.

Coach Steve Ludzik wants more than good impressions.

"We've competed, we've played hard, but the last time I looked, they don't give you two points for that," Ludzik said. "Last time I looked, when the other teams give you kudos and say how hard you're working and stuff, I don't remember them giving any points given for that, either.

"We've got to stop saying, "That's great. Thanks very much.' We've got to stand in there and grab points. We've got to stop that one little mistake in our games."

Ludzik is pleased with a young defense that has outhit two of its past four opponents. But he is unhappy with the lack of productivity on the power play and the ineffectiveness of the penalty kill units.

"Five on five, I think we're gobbling teams up right now," he said. "We're getting more chances five on five than we are five on four. The work ethic on the power play (needs to improve). ... We've got to get back to basics -- point, shot, rebound."

Before Wednesday's games, Tampa Bay ranked 23rd in penalty killing. It has scored on two of its past 31 power-play chances and ranked 17th in the league.

The most recent power-play goal came Dec. 11 against Colorado.

"It's been awful, it really has," said forward Fredrik Modin, who has scored three times in the past three games. "I don't think there's a real secret. We've had troubles getting it into the zone."

The attitude in the locker room has changed from earlier in the season.

Players who simply wanted to get better in October now demand more out of each other.

"No more jokes," center Vinny Lecavalier said. "It's not about getting close. It's about winning, and it's about making the playoffs. Everyone knows that the next six games are very important. We have to win."

Tonight: Lightning vs. Penguins

WHEN/WHERE: 7:30; Ice Palace, Tampa.

TV/RADIO: Lightning Hockey Network (Citrus County: Ch. 18 for upgrade, digital and Black Diamond, Ch. 20 for regular system; Hernando: Ch. 18 for upgrade and digital; Hillsborough: Ch. 44; Pinellas: Ch. 7; Pasco: Ch. 62 on cable-ready TVs, Ch. 67 with a cable box; Verizon Media (Clearwater, Pinellas Park): Ch. 525; Moffat Communications (Zephyrhills), Ch. 2. Call (866) 835-3562 for information); WDAE-AM 620.

THE LOWDOWN: This is the second meeting between the teams this season. Pittsburgh won 3-2 on Oct. 13. RW Jaromir Jagr leads the Penguins with 17 goals and 19 assists in 30 games against the Lightning. Pittsburgh D Darius Kasparaitis (rib, foot) is doubtful, and D Bob Boughner (wrist) is out until Jan. 3. Pittsburgh last won at Tampa Bay 2-0 on March17, 1999. The Lightning was 2-0 at home against Pittsburgh last season. Lightning F Brian Holzinger (broken left index finger) is expected to be activated. RW Stan Drulia (back spasms), D Petr Svoboda (concussion, broken nose) and D Craig Millar (broken left kneecap) are on injured reserve and will not play. Lightning coach Steve Ludzik was unsure Wednesday who would start in goal. Though Mario Lemieux is scheduled to skate this morning at the Ice Palace, the arena will not be open to the public. -- Compiled by KEVIN KELLY

© 2006 • All Rights Reserved • St. Petersburg Times
490 First Avenue South • St. Petersburg, FL 33701 • 727-893-8111

Contact the Times | Privacy Policy
Standard of Accuracy | Terms, Conditions & Copyright