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Identity Crisis Plagues Lightning

The Associated Press

Captain Vinny Lecavalier said the team knows what it wants to be. It's just a question of going out and making it happen.

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By ERIK ERLENDSSON | The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 12, 2008

CORAL SPRINGS - More than a month into the marathon of a hockey season, the Lightning continue to put out an APB for a team identity.

There is little doubt that early season expectations surrounding Tampa Bay were astronomical. Much of that was self-induced, with all the changes the team made during the summer on and off the ice, and to a lesser extent once the season started with some of the roster moves the team has made.

Yet, the Lightning still are trying to figure out what kind of a team they have on the ice.

Are they the team that shuffled out of Buffalo with a commanding 5-2 victory on Oct. 30? Or are they the team that laid an egg at home against San Jose?

Is Tampa Bay a team that comes out of the gate ready to play, as its five goals allowed in the first period through 13 games suggested? Or are the Lightning a team that has been outshot 29-11 and outscored 4-0 in the past two first periods, including 3-0 Monday at Washington?

"I think we are still trying to find our identity. We are still trying to figure out what kind of team we want to be," associate coach Rick Tocchet said. "Some nights for two periods we look like, 'Wow, we can play with anybody,' then one period we get outclassed. So we are still trying to find that. The good teams, the teams that go far and compete for the Stanley Cup, you consistently know each night what you are going to get from them. Sure, there are going to be slip-ups, but you don't go through the long stretches."

Captain Vinny Lecavalier said the team knows what it wants to be. It's just a question of going out and making it happen.

"We want to be everything. We want to be ready for games. We have some very talented guys in here, and a lot of guys play really hard," Lecavalier said. "We just have to put it all together for 60 minutes. That's what every team goes through, but what makes a successful team is the team that does it the most often."

Reporter Erik Erlendsson can be reached at (813) 259-7835.

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