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Vinny Still A Bolt, Leads 3-1 Win Over Kings

The Associated Press

The Lightning's David Koci and Los Angeles' Raitis Ivanans exchange blows in the first period.

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By RICH HAMMOND

Tribune correspondent

Published: January 13, 2009

Updated: 01/13/2009 04:56 am

LOS ANGELES - Steven Stamkos played Monday night. So did Vincent Lecavalier. Are things back to normal, or is this merely a calm before the next Lightning storm?

Stamkos and Lecavalier have both made headlines in recent days, and not for positive reasons, but Lecavalier scored a goal and Stamkos had an assist in Monday's 3-1 road victory over the Los Angeles Kings.

The Lightning improved to 3-1 on this road trip, with Tuesday's game at San Jose remaining, and were able to enjoy a relatively easy victory after a few tumultuous days.

"We had a good, solid effort, and that's two [wins] in a row for us," Stamkos said. "The main thing is we're looking for wins and getting back in the playoff hunt, and Los Angeles was a team that we needed to get two points against. We're on the right track.''

Stamkos returned to the lineup Monday night, three days after Coach Rick Tocchet made him a healthy scratch and said he will periodically rest Stamkos to give the rookie center a chance to build more strength.

Lecavalier also showed up in a Lightning sweater, which might have surprised the national media members who continue to beat the Lecavalier-will-be-traded-to-Montreal drum. The rumors continue to thrive, even as Lecavalier said he isn't leaving Tampa, and the rumors were strong enough to attract two Montreal-based reporters to L.A.

Neither situation seemed to impact the players. Stamkos assisted on the Lightning's first goal, for his first point in his last six games, and Lecavalier scored in the second period to make it 3-0 and essentially clinch the win.

The Kings, who tied the Lightning for fewest points in the NHL last season, provided only sporadic resistance. Mike Smith, back in goal after being rested in Friday's victory over Anaheim, stopped 29 of 30 shots.

"This win is big,'' Smith said. "It's the second part of the season, and we're not out of it by any means. And if we go on a run, anything can happen, so this is the time to do it and this is an important win for us."

Stamkos, this year's No. 1 overall draft pick, played 10 minutes, 38 seconds, and assisted on the Lightning's first goal, which came near the end of a scoreless, listless first period. Evgeny Artyukhin scored it to put the Lightning ahead for good.

Artyukhin's goal came with 1:44 remaining in the first period, and just 41 seconds later, Mark Recchi picked up a puck in the slot and beat goalie Erik Ersberg with a no-look backhand shot.

Lecavalier's goal, 5:48 into the second period, chased Ersberg from the game in favor of Jonathan Quick.

Monday's game marked the first time that the No. 1 and No. 2 picks faced each other as rookies since Pittsburgh goalie Marc-Andre Fleury (No. 1) faced Carolina forward Eric Staal on Oct. 22, 2003.
Los Angeles' Drew Doughty, this year's second overall pick, left the game midway through the second period with a contusion to his right thigh after a leg-to-leg collision with Artyukin that the Kings took offense to.

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