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OT Struggles Continue For Bolts

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By ERIK ERLENDSSON

eerlendsson@tampatrib.com

Published: November 27, 2008

TAMPA - The Lightning showed the energy and commitment to get to the front of the net that interim coach Rick Tocchet is looking for from his team.

But the rest of the formula for success is still lagging behind.

Tampa Bay fell to 1-1-3 since Tocchet assumed the head coaching duties from Barry Melrose following Wednesday's 3-2 shootout loss to the New York Rangers. Though Mark Recchi scored with 49.6 seconds left in the game to steal the Lightning a point, the Rangers converted both their shootout attempts to come away with the victory. Markus Naslund had both New York goals in regulation and had the deciding goal in the shootout.

The Lightning's lack of success in overtime/shootouts has reached an alarming point, with just a pair of victories to show in nine games decided after regulation, including 1-5 in shootouts.

"I've got to make some saves, it's as simple as that," said goaltender Mike Smith, who made 33 saves but has stopped only 9 of 20 shootout attempts this season.

After getting thumped by New Jersey on Sunday, the Lightning showed a stronger effort against the Rangers, at least in the corners and in front of the net. The Lightning were the more physical team, outhitting New York 26-11, in a game that featured overall No. 1 pick Steven Stamkos getting into his first career fight squaring off with Nikolai Zherdev.

"I thought we rebounded well, we played well enough to win but came up a little short," Smith said.

But the Lightning continue to struggle to find any kind of consistent offense, even though both of their goals Wednesday came as the result of players being around the net as Tocchet has demanded since he took over as head coach.

Ryan Malone scored his fifth of the year following a rebound of a Vinny Lecavalier one-timer on the power play which caromed off the end boards to Malone, who lifted a backhander over Henrik Lundqvist. Recchi had the tying goal on a double deflection after Andrej Meszaros threw a puck on goal that Marty St. Louis deflected, knocking the puck off Recchi to just inside the far post.

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

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