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Media have plenty of questions for Vinny

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By ERIK ERLENDSSON | The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 4, 2009

TORONTO - The topic du jour during Tampa Bay's first trip to the hockey media capital - other than the Leafs debut of Phil Kessel - was the play of Lightning captain Vinny Lecavalier, who appeared in his 800th career game Tuesday.

In the previous two days, Lecavalier being put on a line with Drew Miller and Stephane Veilleux created a bit of a stir, as did his season-low ice time of 16:06 in Monday's 6-2 loss to Philadelphia.

So with Tampa Bay in town, the questions were again posed about the offensive struggles of Lecavalier, who had one goal in the team's first 12 games.

"Vinny knows he's struggling, and he's got to get some passion in his game," Lightning coach Rick Tocchet said. "I talked to him about it. It's not just scoring. He's the captain of the hockey club, and it's not just him. But he's the main figure on our team. We've got to get him going. He has to show us that he's ready to play. He knows it. There's no better stage than ... Toronto."

Lecavalier was surrounded by more than a dozen media members after Tuesday's morning skate, and all of them wanted to know what is wrong.

"I just need to start playing with instincts," said Lecavalier, who opened the scoring with his second goal of the season. "Once you start thinking too much, it's not good. So maybe a goal can help, but you just have to get on a little streak, get that confidence going and stop thinking so much."

After a one-game stint on what essentially was third-line duty, Lecavalier started Tuesday's game between Ryan Malone and Alex Tanguay.

TOPIC TWO: While the media wanted to know what was wrong with Lecavalier, they also wanted to know what was going right with C Steven Stamkos, surrounding the sophomore's locker after he came off the ice, drilling him with questions about his 11 goals and his chance to earn a spot on Team Canada's Olympic roster.

The latter point became more prevalent with Team Canada represented by Steve Yzerman and Kevin Lowe at Tuesday night's game.

"I didn't even know he was here," Stamkos said. "But it's not like I'm going out there and thinking I have to play well because they are watching. It's not like I'm going to change my game."

MILITARY RECOGNITION: The Lightning will host "Military Night Out" at the Nov. 12 game against the Minnesota Wild. Teams can purchase ticket packages from The Lightning Foundation to donate to military members and their families.

Donation packages range from $300 to $2,500, with each level distributing an allotment of tickets to military families and including tickets for the donator to the Frank Crum Club.

Sponsorship commitments must be received by Friday. For more information on "Military Night Out" or to take advantage of this tax-deductible sponsorship, contact Kelvin Woodson at (813) 301-6832 or kwoodson@sptimesforum.com.

NUTS AND BOLTS: Lightning scratches were D Kurtis Foster, D Matt Smaby and D Paul Ranger, who continues to be out for personal reasons. Tocchet said there was nothing new to report on Ranger. ... Tampa Bay D Lukas Krajicek picked up his first career fight, holding his own against Toronto's Niklas Hagman.

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