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Tocchet Has Own Style Of Revenge

The Tampa Tribune

Published: March 27, 2009

MONTREAL - When a team has been mathematically eliminated from playoff contention, there aren't too many games on the schedule that could be qualified as "big."

But tonight's Lightning game in Washington could be an exception.

It will be the first time the Bolts face Alexander Ovechkin and the Capitals since his controversial celebration of his 50th goal on March 19 in Tampa, and interim coach Rick Tocchet wants his players to be ready.

But it might not be for the reason everyone thinks.

Tocchet is not necessarily interested in seeing some form of retribution against Ovechkin. He wants a far sweeter form of revenge.

A victory.

"That's something where you'd like to see your players react," he said. "But reacting is playing and beating Washington by playing abrasive, it's not being stupid."

Tocchet says he wants to win the game so badly, he might resort to chopping his bench down to ridiculous levels.

"I would think guys would be ready to play that game. I'll go with two lines if there are some guys who aren't ready to play," he said. "Right now we're evaluating our players, and that will be a big part of our evaluation."

Mike McKenna will start in goal, and Tocchet said he also will be evaluated on how he bounces back from allowing five goals on 30 shots in that 5-2 loss to the Capitals.

ST. LOUIS BACKS OWNERSHIP

As is usually the case when the Lightning visit Montreal, native sons Vinny Lecavalier and Marty St. Louis were the focus of the local media after Thursday's morning skate.
Lecavalier was interrogated for about 10 minutes in French about persisting rumors that he will be traded to Montreal at this June's draft, but he didn't bite. He maintained his position that he has no control over what happens and that management has assured him he will be privy to any trade discussion that might take place.

When St. Louis was later asked by the same reporters whether the ownership group led by Oren Koules and Len Barrie have shown him and Lecavalier enough loyalty, St. Louis became visibly annoyed.

"Last summer did ownership think we'd be sitting here out of the playoffs? No, they spent money and tried to build a good team," he said in French. "Vincent got a 10-year contract; that's pretty loyal in my books."

Arpon Basu

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