Costly turnover contributes to Lightning D Kracijek's demotion

The awful giveaway by Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Lukas Krajicek that led to Detroit's second goal on Thursday didn't directly lead to the team re-assigning the him to the minors on Friday.

But it certainly didn't help his cause.

Krajicek was five feet from his own blue line while attempting to get the puck out of the zone, but instead gave it away to Pavel Datsyuk, who sprung a 2-on-1 for the Red Wings' second goal in a 3-0 victory.

Too often this season, Krajicek has been at the wrong end of such plays, and combined with his one assist on the season, it was a formula for a demotion.

"I don't think he's played as well as he can, and it's not just him,'' Lightning coach Rick Tocchet said. "The thing is, when you're not scoring goals, you can't be at the scene of the crime too many times. That's not just Luke; there are other guys. But when you're not producing, you can't have your fingerprints at the scene of the crime.''

Acquired from Vancouver last season and re-signed to a one-year contract worth $1.475 million this summer, Krajicek has not lived up to his first-round billing. He was placed on waivers last Friday and went unclaimed. In the two games he played since clearing waivers, Krajicek didn't appear to step up his game.

"There are plenty of stories of guys who are put on waivers and sat out a bunch of games or traded a couple of times, all of a sudden they see a light, and that's what you hope for from certain hockey players,'' Tocchet said. "You try to send those messages.''

Dental work
Center Jeff Halpern will play despite taking a puck to the face during Thursday's loss in Detroit. While Halpern's lip was noticeably swollen from a cut that required 12 stitches, the veteran forward also needed quick in-house dental surgery.

The puck actually knocked out four of Halpern's teeth, and a bridge was put into his mouth while still at Joe Louis Arena.

Turns out the puck to the face was part of a rough shift for the 32-year-old. Just before he was hit by the puck, he was checked in the corner causing his helmet to lift as his face hit the boards, leaving him with a cut above his left eye.

Hedman in
Rookie defenseman Victor Hedman, who sat out Thursday's game with a bruised foot, took part in Friday's morning skate and looked comfortable enough to play.

"I feel ready to go. I hope the coaches pick me to play,'' Hedman said, jokingly.

While Tocchet said the decision is ultimately up to Hedman as to how much pain he can tolerate, Tocchet said expected to see Hedman suit up.

Nuts and Bolts

Right wing Steve Downie, whose face hit the ice during a fight in Nashville on Tuesday, is questionable for tonight's game. While Downie has not been diagnosed with a concussion, Tocchet indicated there might be some concussion-like symptoms. ... Goaltender Antero Niittymaki will make his fourth start in five games on the six-game road trip.