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Bolts' Malone Thriving In Task Few Would Want

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By IRA KAUFMAN

ikaufman@tampatrib.com

Published: March 21, 2009

TAMPA - Ryan Malone thrives where others fear to tread.

Parking his 6-foot-4 frame in the slot and warding off defenders, Tampa Bay's hulking left wing leads the NHL in shooting accuracy, scoring on 21.6 percent of his 111 shots.

With 24 goals, Malone has a legitimate shot at reaching the 30-goal plateau for the first time in his five-year career.

"My goals come from around the net and that helps my percentage," said Malone, second on the Lightning in penalty minutes (92) and game-winning goals (3). "And getting to play with Marty St. Louis has really helped me find those shooting areas."

Malone was obtained from Pittsburgh last summer and he has fulfilled a blue-collar role with enthusiasm.

"Ryan brings an element to our team that we don't have a lot of - the courage to stand in front," associate coach Mike Sullivan said. "He creates room for his linemates and makes it tough on goaltenders."

Teammates appreciate Malone's willingness to get the dirty job done, but there's more to his game than determination and sacrifice.

"You either have it or you don't, and Ryan Malone has it," Lightning captain Vinny Lecavalier said. "He's got great hands ... and that's something you can't teach."

Once Malone establishes squatter's rights in the slot, he is willing to pay the physical price for setting up shop in the scoring area, frustrating goalies with tip-ins and rebounds.

The 29-year-old forward averages less than two shots per game, half of Lecavalier's rate, and he admits his father and brother are constantly on him to shoot more.

"Ryan's an unselfish guy and a highly skilled player," Sullivan said. "What's exciting is I think he has another level to his game."

Tampa Bay had been missing a troublemaker up front since the days Dave Andreychuk was bedeviling goaltenders from between the circles.

"What Ryan Malone does isn't easy," fellow winger Vinny Prospal said. "He absorbs a lot of punishment to score those goals and he's very good at tipping the puck and creating chaos in front. That's where he makes his living."

In juniors, Malone wasn't known as a power forward who did most of his damage from the slot area.

"Usually, I was the guy on the half-wall, but then when I went to Pittsburgh and played with Sid Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, I had to find a different game, one where I could use my size more to my advantage. The new rules help a little, but it's still crowded up there and it's still physical. Believe me, taking a hockey puck to the face is never fun."

Reporter Ira Kaufman can be reached at (813) 259-7833.

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