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With Steve Downie, search for Vinny Lecavalier's right wing comes full circle for Lightning
Remember when we started training camp and the talk was how the Lightning was going to give Steve Downie a chance to play right wing on Vinny Lecavalier's line with Alex Tanguay? That lasted one scrimmage. Experiments with Carter Ashton and Stephane Veilleux also were short lived.
So, Downie is back. He replaced Veilleux about midway through Wednesday night's 4-3 shootout loss to the Coyotes in Loveland, Colo., and looked good doing it. His pass from his knees to Lecavalier, led to Lecavalier's first goal of the preseason and gave the Lightning a 3-2 lead for 34 seconds before Phoenix tied things up. ... Read more
Coach Rick Tocchet says perhaps patience will help figure out Vinny Lecavalier's right wing
We have seen the revolving door at right wing on Vinny Lecavalier's line, and so far there has yet to be someone to claim the spot permanently. On the other hand, even Lightning coach Rick Tocchet said perhaps no one has been given a long enough chance to shine.
Consider the Steve Downie experiment, which lasted one scrimmage. Or the Carter Ashton experiment, which lasted less than a game. Same for Stephane Veilleux. Now, it appears Downie, who on Wednesday played well with Lecavalier and left wing Alex Tanguay gets another shot. But for how long? ... Read more
Stephane Veilleux back on Vinny Lecavalier's line, and Kurtis Foster practices
A few tidbits from Tampa Bay Lightning practice today:
Stephane Veilleux played right wing on a line with center Vinny Lecavalier and left wing Alex Tanguay. Steve Downie, who played the first two games at right wing on that line took Veilleux's place on the fourth line with center Zenon Konopka and left wing Todd Fedoruk. ... Read more
Antero Niittymaki starts in net for the Lightning Saturday against Pitt; Steve Downie promoted
The Tampa Bay Lightning had a late practice Friday after flying into Pittsburgh from Ottawa. The boys watched video of all their mistakes in Thursday's frightful 7-1 loss to the Senators and then had a spirited practice that focused on one-on-one battles and energized breakouts.
The changes that coach Rick Tocchet spoke of apparently are Antero Niittymaki replacing Mike Smith in goal and Steve Downie moving from the fourth line back up to right wing on a line with center Vinny Lecavalier and Alex Tanguay, both of whom have yet to score this season. ... Read more
Zenon Konopka is a scratch tonight; coach Rick Tocchet blows up an old, tired idea
Tampa Bay Lightning coach Rick Tocchet might have had the quote of the season after Monday's morning skate. It at least was the quote of this road trip. But first the setup. ... Read more
Tampa Bay Lightning goalie Mike Smith "progressing," Dustin Tokarski waiting
So, there was Mike Smith Wednesday, walking down the hallway outside the Tampa Bay Lightning locker room at the St. Pete Times Forum. Wasn't sure whether that was a smile or a smirk on his face, but either way the goaltender declined, with an apology to talk about the injury he sustained in Tuesday's game with the Capitals when defenseman Brooks Laich ran over him in the first period. ... Read more
No discipline for Matt Bradley in fight with Tampa Bay Lightning's Steve Downie
The Washington Post reported today that the Capitals' Matt Bradley will not received league discipline for his fight Tuesday with Tampa Bay Lightning wing Steve Downie. ... Read more
Time to give it up (again) for the Tampa Bay Lightning's Marty St. Louis
Since I just recently wrote a story for the paper about Marty St. Louis, the Tampa Bay Lightning's continually running motor, I decided to use this space to give another (and deserving) hand to the right wing for continuing his stellar play even after the story appeared. ... Read more
Tocchet: Tampa Bay Lightning needs "passion" in today's game with the Capitals
So, what do you say we talk about some hockey today? As you probably noticed, my days since last week have been filled with the story about potential new owner Jeff Vinik and his efforts to buy the team with the help of the NHL. His efforts apparently are ongoing and the league hopes to make an announcement soon.
But on to other things: ... Read more
Coach Tocchet: Tampa Bay Lightning needs Vinny Lecavalier "to play hard tonight"
Tampa Bay Lightning coach Rick Tocchet put some pressure on captain Vinny Lecavalier and left wing Alex Tanguay to pick up their games, beginning with today's game with the Islanders at Nassau Coliseum.
"There's no other way to say it. We need Vinny to play hard tonight," Tocchet said. "Go to the net hard right from the opening draw and be ready to go and keep shooting the puck." ... Read more
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