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Vinny: Lightning are getting close

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By IRA KAUFMAN

ikaufman@tampatrib.com

Published: October 30, 2009

Updated: 10/30/2009 12:11 am

TAMPA - Vinny Lecavalier says they're close.

The Lightning captain said Tampa Bay's .500 start through the first three weeks doesn't reflect the improved talent level on a young roster that has had difficulty closing out games.

"If we keep skating and keep working hard, things will work out for this hockey club," Lecavalier said before Thursday's game against Ottawa. "This is a totally different team from last year. We're a lot stronger overall, and there's no comparison between our defense now and last season."

During their 3-3-3 start, the Lightning squandered several late leads, costing the club valuable points.

"I like the way this team is working," Coach Rick Tocchet said. "But if you've got a team beat, you have to put them out. I think we'll get better at that."

One of Tampa Bay's few clunkers was a 7-1 drubbing at Ottawa two weeks ago, when the Lightning went 0-for-6 on the power play while yielding two short-handed goals.

"They beat us pretty good up there," said second-year C Steven Stamkos, who has at least one point in all but one game this season. "We're playing .500 hockey right now and that's not good enough. We want to get over the hump."

Moving on up

In an effort to get Alex Tanguay going, Tocchet moved the struggling winger up to the No. 2 line with Stamkos and Ryan Malone, who are tied for the team lead with seven goals apiece.

"I need to get Alex stabilized," Tocchet said of the 29-year-old left winger, who entered Thursday's matchup without a goal, despite averaging almost 16 minutes of ice time. "If Tangs can find his game here, I think it could be a successful line for us."

Long memory

While he downplayed any revenge angle, Tocchet acknowledged that visions of that recent 7-1 loss to the Senators could be a useful tool in the rematch.

"Memory can serve you well to motivate you as an individual to play better," he said. "They're a very confident team. We can't play as individuals tonight. If we play as five, we protect the house, all the other stuff will come. Ottawa's transition game is very good. Their penalty kill is the best in the league and they've got good goaltending."

Bolts bits

The Lightning scratched D Matt Smaby, Lukas Krajicek and Paul Ranger. ... Saturday's Halloween game against the Devils at home starts at 3 p.m., and Monday's matchup at Philadelphia has been moved up to 5 p.m. because of the World Series. ... Tampa Bay scored only four first-period goals through the first nine games.

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