Vinny eager to find a spark

Mired in the midst of a scoring slump with one goal in two games and winless in three before facing New Jersey on Friday, the Lightning instituted a bit of a shakeup up front.

Things started with the promotion of C Blair Jones from Norfolk of the American Hockey League.

The biggest move, however, came when the opening lineup was announced and captain Vinny Lecavalier was part of the starting lineup at left wing with Paul Szczechura at center and Steve Downie at right wing. Lecavalier has played center almost exclusively throughout his 10-year career.

Following practice Thursday, Lightning coach Rick Tocchet hinted at moving around Lecavalier, who had just five goals this season and seems far removed from his 52-goal season in 2006-07 when he won the Rocket Richard Trophy.

"Maybe a little change of scenery and move him around a little bit, that's something we are toying with for (Friday), to put him in different areas and sometimes a change can help," Tocchet said.

The change lasted only for a couple of shifts, however, as Lecavalier was shifted back to center between LW Alex Tanguay and RW Jeff Halpern.

"We have to start finding some offense," Tocchet said.

Whether the minor shakeup had anything to do with it, Lecavalier found the back of the net to open the scoring Friday with a wraparound that somehow found a hole between the post and the skate of G Martin Brodeur.

"I'll take anything" to get out of the scoring slump, Lecavalier said.

Here to stay?

Friday's game for Jones was his first in the NHL since Dec. 22, 2007. Since that point he has played exclusively in the minor leagues, and he feels he's rounded out his game to become more of a complete player. Before being called up, Jones was leading the Admirals with 13 assists, was second with 19 points and third with six goals. The 25-year-old also leads Norfolk with a plus-10 rating.

When asked what was different about his game, Jones said he's concentrated on improving the smaller aspects.

"Working a lot in the defensive zone, taking care of the puck, just developing smaller things about my game that weren't there," he said. "I think I came a long way."

He's taking the approach that he's not heading back to Norfolk anytime soon.

"You have to play like you want to be here," Jones said. "And you have to show them you belong here every game and not think, 'Well, I'm here to fill a roster spot for a few games and then I'll be going back.' I'm here to stay. I'm happy to be up and don't want to go back down."

Nuts and bolts

Lightning scratches were D Kurtis Foster, LW Todd Fedoruk and D Matt Smaby, who made his season debut Wednesday in Boston. ... Tampa Bay flew home after the game in preparation for tonight's game against the New York Islanders, who arrived in Tampa after playing in Atlanta on Thursday. ... Rookie LW James Wright had his first NHL fight, dropping a decision to D Matthew Corrente. ... Szczechura left the game in the second period with an upper-body injury and did not return.

Erik Erlendsson