Bolts chasing consistency

The Lightning close out Act One of the regular season this afternoon against the Penguins, determined to shed their reputation as classic NHL teasers.

Averaging exactly one point per game, the erratic Lightning find themselves in a frantic battle for the last few playoff spots in the Eastern Conference as they finish the first half of a roller-coaster season.

"We haven't played our best hockey often enough," said second-year center Steven Stamkos, who leads Tampa Bay with 21 goals. "When we do, we see how well we can dominate games. We have all the talent in the world. The key is putting that talent together with hard work."

Despite the presence of Stamkos, Marty St. Louis, Vinny Lecavalier and Ryan Malone up front, the Lightning scored two goals or fewer 21 times in their first 40 games, undermining solid goaltending by Mike Smith and Antero Niittymaki.

Tampa Bay's 3-10 mark in games decided in overtime or by a shootout is particularly frustrating for Coach Rick Tocchet.

"My job is to make sure these guys are even-keeled and that they're ready to play," Tocchet said, "and I take that very seriously. The biggest thing I hate is hearing the word 'inconsistency' on a team that I coach. I like even-keeled people. When we win, it's almost like we want a parade. When we lose, we all kind of mope around."

Malone has been one of the pleasant surprises, ranking second to Stamkos with 19 goals, including an NHL-leading seven game-winners, and topping Tampa Bay skaters with a plus-8 mark.

"He's played great for us," Lecavalier said of Malone, the ex-Penguin who was just named to the U.S. Olympic roster for the February Winter Games in Vancouver. "Ryan's not just a scorer, he's a great leader for us. He'll do anything for his teammates and we're lucky to have him."

St. Louis, who leads the team with 44 points, wants to see a renewed commitment in the second half.

"We're still in the hunt, but it's been an inconsistent 40 games for us," he said. "We're inconsistent even within games. I think we have a good enough club, but consistency will define the teams that make the playoffs."

Against the Canadiens on Wednesday night, Tampa Bay played a lethargic 40 minutes and trailed 1-0 before ratcheting up its intensity to force overtime, dropping a 2-1 decision.

"Since I've been here, the 4-on-4 and 2-on-1 play is below par," Tocchet said. "There's a reason we don't win those games. We don't score on our 2-on-1 chances and we don't score 4-on-4. To me, that's mental toughness.

"We have to be careful around here. Everyone talks about our firepower and world-class players, and I think we're reading it too much. Yes, we have a good hockey club and we've got some skills, but sometimes when you read into it too much as a player, you get out of your element."

After scoring one power-play goal through the first 40 games, Lecavalier is showing signs he is ready for a dynamic second half.

"I think we left a lot of points on the table, for sure," said the Lightning captain. "Teams that make the playoffs are teams that win the shootouts and win in overtime. We're right there. If we correct a few things, we'll be in good position. You've got to play 60 minutes a night in this league to compete."

For Tocchet, it's all about players striving past their comfort level.

"It's hard to go the right way in our game," Tocchet said. "It's hard to go in front of the net - it's easy to go behind the net. It's easy to backcheck kind of half-(way), it's hard to backcheck all the way. We need consistency and composure ... we need to back up what we're saying."

NOTES: Tampa Bay placed RW Brandon Bochenski on re-entry waivers on Friday. Bochenski leads Norfolk with 16 goals and 32 points in 35 games. His 16 goals entering Friday were tied for second in the American Hockey League. ... The Lightning signed G Jaroslav Janus to a three-year, entry-level contract on Friday and assigned him to Norfolk. Janus, a sixth-round pick in 2009, started the season with Norfolk on a tryout basis before returning to Erie where he played juniors. Janus appeared in two games with Norfolk earlier this season, posting a 1.52 goals-against average and .939 save percentage.