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Minutes Cut For MVP Line

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 6, 2009

Whether Lightning interim coach Rick Tocchet sent a message to Tampa Bay's top three offensive players during Sunday's victory in Atlanta or not, it was difficult to miss the intention.

The Lightning's MVP line of Marty St. Louis, Vinny Lecavalier and Vinny Prospal each saw their ice time significantly cut and didn't see a shift on the team's first power-play opportunity.

Lecavalier averaged 20 minutes, 21 seconds a game going into Sunday, but logged a season-low 16:13 against the Thrashers; St. Louis logged 21:33 per game, but his 15:37 on Sunday was his lowest of the season by nearly three minutes, not including Nov. 21 when he missed half a period after being struck in the face with a puck. Prospal, who played 14:43, had been averaging 19:04.

In regard to the power-play time, Tocchet said he was just going with the next lineup in the rotation - which resulted in Steve Eminger's goal with Adam Hall and Jussi Jokinen picking up assists. Tampa Bay added another power-play goal, scored by St. Louis with the MVP line on the ice, one minute into the third period for a 3-0 lead.

"I think they need a little mental break," Tocchet said of the top line. "Whoever is up is going to play the power play. We got two power-play goals out of it; maybe because guys are fresher, maybe because they're more in tune on the bench."

When asked about it after the game, St. Louis didn't read too much into the situation.

"Obviously, we haven't scored on the power play," St. Louis said, "so, you know, it is what it is."

BACK TO THE FARM

With D Paul Ranger expected to be ready for Thursday's game in Phoenix and Lukas Krajicek back in the lineup, the team officially sent rookie defensemen Vladimir Mihalik and Ty Wishart back to Norfolk of the American Hockey League. Both had been with the team on emergency recalls.
NUTS AND BOLTS
Tampa Bay was outhit by the Thrashers 18-11 on Sunday, ending a stretch of six consecutive games in which the Lightning outhit their opponents, which they did by a 162-109 margin. ... The Eastern Conference All-Star reserves will be announced on Thursday and the Young Star selections will be announced on Friday. They will be revealed on those days at noon on NHL.com.

Erik Erlendsson

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