TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Lightning looking like a different team

ADVERTISEMENT

By TONY FABRIZIO

afabrizio@tampatrib.com

Published: November 12, 2009

Updated: 11/12/2009 07:00 am

TAMPA - No matter how the Lightning play tonight against the Wild, the aftermath won't be anything like what occurred after the team's 16th game last year.

That's when Barry Melrose, the charismatic ESPN analyst who was hired after a 13-year coaching hiatus, was fired.

The Lightning had fallen to 5-7-4 after a third-quarter collapse against the defending Stanley Cup champion Red Wings at home, and they were the lowest-scoring team in the league.

Things are different this year. The team that went on to have a disastrous injury-plagued season and finished 29th in the NHL is better balanced, more disciplined and more focused under former interim coach Rick Tocchet.

In fact, the Lightning (6-4-5) have played like playoff contenders of late. They are only a point out of the top eight in the Eastern Conference, and they have played fewer games than several of the teams ahead of them.

"I don't like putting it that we're better," Tocchet said Wednesday. "I think that with what we're trying to accomplish, guys are on the same page. We have nine new guys that came from different teams that want to win, too, which helps.

"You put all that together and the focus is a lot better."

There are several encouraging signs, including a dazzling start for second-year center Steven Stamkos (12 goals, 17 points), stout work in the net by Mike Smith (at home) and Antero Niittymaki (home and away) and a 4-0-3 record at home.

Left wing Ryan Malone points to another.

"I don't think we've really played that great of hockey yet," he said. "That's a good thing. We've seen signs of it, but for a whole 60 minutes, we haven't played our A game."

Captain Vinny Lecavalier says the players never gave up after Melrose's firing last year, but in retrospect they had a nearly impossible task.

"It just seemed we never got any momentum once we were into the season," he said. "That's why it's tough to have a coaching change in the middle of the season."

And now?

"It's very early, but it's nice to be up there (in the playoff mix)," Lecavalier said. "We know we can do it. The way we're playing right now, our mentality is, we play for every single point."

NUTS AND BOLTS: LW Drew Miller, placed on waivers Tuesday, was claimed Wednesday by the Red Wings. To replace him, the Lightning called up C Paul Szczechura, who led AHL Norfolk in points with 14. ... Rookie D Victor Hedman (concussion) practiced for a third consecutive day and is listed as probable after missing Saturday's game at Montreal. ... Tocchet stopped just short of saying Niittymaki would be in goal tonight.

Reporter Tony Fabrizio can be reached at (813) 259-7994.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT