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Bolts Struggle In Loss As Deadline Looms

Associated Press photo

Pittsburgh goalie Marc-Andre Fleury gets a stick out in front of a shot by Tampa Bay's Ryan Malone (12) during the second period Tuesday night.

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By ERIK ERLENDSSON

eerlendsson@tampatrib.com

Published: March 4, 2009

TAMPA - The somberness surrounding the Lightning this season hit a bit closer to home Tuesday following a 3-1 loss to Pittsburgh.

With Tampa Bay long ago erased from the playoff picture, the team again finds itself in seller mode as the trade deadline hits today at 3 p.m. The team on the ice against the Penguins - which included rookies Paul Szczechura and Brandon Segal in place of moveable veterans Gary Roberts and Mark Recchi - could look vastly different when the team returns to practice Thursday.

It is the second consecutive season in which Tampa Bay, not quite five years removed from winning a Stanley Cup title, has been subtracting from its roster coming down the stretch instead of loading up for another Cup chase.

"This hasn't been fun, that's for sure," said center Ryan Craig, who spent his first season as a Tampa Bay prospect in 2004 watching the team win a title. "When you get a taste of what winning is like, it makes you want to be a part of it. We haven't really been successful the last couple of years and that's tough, but it's a grind and we have to find a way to get results, and that's all I can really say. I think if you ask anyone, losing is miserable."

With the team returning from the West Coast early Monday morning and a virus running through the team, Lightning interim coach Rick Tocchet gave the players today off. Perhaps it will help with their mental health, as well, with the clock ticking on another potential roster blow-up.

"I'm sure there are always some people who are a little nervous, and maybe they are not into skating because they really want to know what's going on or if there are any rumors about themselves," captain Vinny Lecavalier said of trade deadline day. "It's a tough day. You try to leave your cell phone on and check with what's going on, there's nothing else to really do."

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

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