Sports: Cheating ways help Lightning center

When it comes to mastering the NHL faceoff circle, which Taylor has done, cheating is the key to success and something the Lightning center does proudly.

He reads linesmen's tics.

He catalogs opponents' tendencies.

He positions his teammates around the circle, then predicts, with uncanny accuracy, where the puck will go depending on if his adversary is right- or left-handed, veteran or rookie.

What looks like two guys flailing madly at a bouncing puck actually is a well-choreographed, highly strategic confrontation requiring coordination, savvy and a degree in psychology. "It's all about cheating, basically," said Taylor, who has won 64 percent of his faceoffs, 39 of 61, in the past six games. "You have to cheat, or you're not going to win."

Taylor, 32, is not a prolific scorer. He was acquired from the Rangers during the offseason for his ability to neutralize opponents' top scorers. To be effective, Taylor must win faceoffs in Tampa Bay's defensive zone.

Any way possible.

"Each referee has a different signal he gives you," Taylor said. "He doesn't do it on purpose. That's just his way of dropping the puck. There was a linesman a few games ago. He had both hands out, and as he pulled his left arm back, the puck dropped right away.

"After two faceoffs, I picked that up and remembered it and got the jump on the other guy."

Taylor keeps a running tally in his head of his faceoff record during a game, including his record against each opposing player. Centers not only try to get the puck, they try to get in each other's heads.

"That's huge," Taylor said. "You can get in a guy's mind psychologically. Early in the year against one guy, I was 0-for-4. I used to beat this guy all the time. "What am I doing?' I had to tell myself to relax, calm down, don't overthink. It was tough. Losing so many in a row, you think, "I can't beat this guy.' "

Hampered early by the lingering effects of February surgery to repair a torn abdominal muscle, Taylor is starting to feel like his old self in the faceoff circle.

In other words, crafty.

But what could be so tricky? Don't get Taylor started. Ask a simple question about faceoff strategy, and Taylor is on the floor in front of his locker diagramming situations on the carpet.

"It's nice, isn't it?" coach John Tortorella said. "I know some of the younger guys don't understand it completely, but Tim has been doing it so long, and he takes pride in it.

"Faceoffs are a big part of the game. That's why Vinny Lecavalier is sitting next to him in our locker room. We want that to rub off."

Taylor knows faceoffs intimidate many young players. He likes nothing better than to coast into the circle and stare into the wide eyes of an anxious rookie.

"If they're really jumpy, you can get them," Taylor said.

"I put my stick in there. And just as the ref is going to drop the puck, I pull my stick out and the other guy goes through. The puck is lying there, and I can grab it."

Some victories come before the puck is dropped. Few things are more satisfying than causing a talented opponent to be ejected -- yes, there are tactics for that, too -- from the circle. The challenge is not to giggle.

An eight-year NHL veteran who first spent five seasons in the AHL, Taylor analyzes data like a scientist. From a wide array of variables, he calculates a probable outcome for every draw.

After all these years, he knows a draw between him, a lefty, and a righty almost always will be just that: a draw. "Nine times out of 10, it's going straight across," Taylor said. "So I tell my defenseman, "Get your stick in there right away. Just knock it back quickly because it's going right there.'

"I always tell my guys where the puck is going, every time. And defensemen and wingers are huge on faceoffs. You can win a faceoff because your teammates did a good job."

Hmmm, sounds like cheating.

TONIGHT: LIGHTNING VS. PREDATORS

WHEN/WHERE: 8; Gaylord Entertainment Center, Nashville.

RADIO: WDAE-AM 620. THE LOWDOWN: The Predators are on an 8-0-3 streak at home, one shy of the Red Wings' mark for the season's longest. Nashville is 4-0-3 in its past seven overall. Expect U.S. Olympic goaltender Mike Dunham to be in net. His seven-game unbeaten streak is a career high and is tied for the team record. LW Petr Tenkrat has four goals and two assists in his past three games. Tampa Bay is 5-12-2-1 on the road. Since ending a seven-game road losing streak with a 4-0 win Nov. 25 at Carolina, it is 3-5-1, including 2-2-1 on a recent 11-day trip to Canada. The Predators are led by F Cliff Ronning (eight goals, 22 assists). Andy Delmore's team-high 12 goals, including eight on power plays, leads the league's defensemen. Lightning C Vinny Lecavalier has four goals in six games, including an overtime winner Friday against the Blues, since learning he would not be traded this season. The Predators have the league's eighth-ranked home power play. The Lightning has the fifth-ranked road penalty kill. This is the first of two meetings. The series is tied 2-2-1, with both Lightning victories in Nashville.

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