Give Blair Jones credit. The Tampa Bay Lightning forward was inserted into the lineup for Saturday's game against the Flames so the coaching staff could get another look at a player who has impressed them perhaps more than it anticipated.

Coach Guy Boucher said Jones would play in place of forward Dana Tyrell. That's not a knock on Tyrell, who is expected to survive the major cut that's coming likely on Sunday. it's just that Boucher said he wanted to get another look at Jones, who has a goal and three shots on goal in two games.

"He's played hard," Boucher said, "and he deserves it because of his work ethic. He has a very good attitude and a very good work ethic."

He also scored major points by sticking up for teammate Chris Durno by attacking Chicago's Nick Boynton after Boynton his Durno with what appeared a knee-to-knee hit. 

Jones, who turns 24 on Monday, has stepped up his game over last season, when he was a major disappointment in 14 games with Tampa Bay in which he had zero points, 10 penalty minutes and was minus-5.

Also, center Dominic Moore will not play while he continues to nurse a left groin strain. Moore hasn't played since the first preseason game. Boucher said Moore had to leave midway through Friday's practice because the groin started to bother him.