So the Lightning has tied its Eastern Conference quarterfinal at one after its 3-2 win over Jersey. The goal coming to The Meadowlands was to take one of the two games here and then defend home ice.

Don't know if you noticed, but late in the game Vinny Lecavalier took a slashing penalty on Brian Gionta. Vinny to a hack to Gionta's legs after he thought Gionta purposely hit him in the face with his stick. It appeared to be unintentional, but who knows. Vinny was pretty steamed. Gionta said that he went up to Vinny after the game to ask him why he slashed, and -- according to Gionta -- Vinny took a swing at him.

There was definitely tension on the ice. Check out Times photographer Dirk Shadd's postgame celebration pic in Sunday's paper. In the background, you can see Gionta and Vinny having a little postgame discussion, and all the Lightning players looking over to make sure an ensuing fracus doesn't break out. It will be interesting to see if this leads to more tension between the teams as the series heads to Tampa.

The Lightning will practice tomorrow at 4 p.m. Usually Tampa Bay practices at 11 a.m., but this is the first of three 4 p.m. practices this week. The goal is likely to give the squad a chance to sleep in and get used to night games.

We're getting outta here -- hopefully. We've got 8 a.m. flights outta Newark that will hopefully beat out the Nor'easter that's heading here. If not, Team Times' Cristodero-Shelton-Encina line might need some help Sunday.