Bolts' Tanguay, Halpern benched for Nashville game

Looking to turn around recent misfortunes and wake up a slumping team, Lightning coach Rick Tocchet benched two of Tampa Bay's top players Tuesday against the Predators.

Former All-Star LW Alex Tanguay and veteran C Jeff Halpern were healthy scratches as Tocchet attempted to shake a team that entered Tuesday with one victory in nine games. Tampa Bay dressed eight defensemen, using David Hale and Kurtis Foster for shifts on the fourth line.

"We've got eight (losses) in nine, and I don't like the trend, certain individuals and as a team," Tocchet said. "And that's probably my fault for letting it go the past three or four games. Sometimes you put the onus on the players and certain people to straighten it. But ultimately it's on my (rear end). Hopefully we'll have 18 or 19 guys going and not just 11 or 12."

While Tocchet said there are a number of players struggling, Tanguay is the first to experience what might become a trend of sitting certain players as the coaching staff looks to spark an offense that had scored three goals in the previous four games.

"It's a situation where it's a shock thing for everybody or ... I really don't care what the message is other than the fact that we need results," Tocchet said. "We need to be able to play 60 minutes, not 30 minutes. And because we are down a goal everybody does their own program. Ultimately, that falls on me, so we are going to find guys who can stick with the plan."

Though the offense has taken a nosedive in recent weeks, Tanguay is struggling to produce more than any other top forward. After signing a one-year deal worth $2.5 million as a free agent, Tanguay has scored only four goals while contributing 13 assists in 32 games. He has not scored a goal since Nov. 16 at Phoenix.

"What is there to say? I try my hardest, I guess it's not good enough," Tanguay said. "The team is slumping and I'm a big part of it. I'll take my ... we'll see."

Halpern, who said the last time he was a healthy scratch came during his third year in the league, didn't want to discuss his benching, only saying that the situation was between him and Tocchet.

Krajicek returns

Three days after clearing waivers, D Lukas Krajicek returned to the lineup. He was told another team might be interested in claiming him off waivers, but a move never materialized.

"I don't really know exactly what is going on," Krajicek said. "I felt I was playing some pretty good minutes, then this happened. But we're through it. I have to deal with it. Maybe now nothing happens and I'm here the rest of the year."

Frequent flyer

In a five-day span, C Blair Jones has flown from Norfolk, Va., to Denver, back to Norfolk and then on Monday made his way to Nashville as he was recalled for the second time in less than a week.

The fourth-year pro doesn't mind the travel, particularly when it means he's up with the NHL club.

"It's always exciting to come back here, so it's not as tough as some would think," Jones said.

Nuts and bolts

Tuesday marked the second time this season in which Vinny Lecavalier and Steven Stamkos scored a goal in the same game. ... The Lightning scored two first-period goals for the first time since Dec. 5 against the Islanders.