Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Kurtis Foster will be out five to seven days with a lower body injury, the team said. Foster sustained the injury in the second period of Saturday's season-opening loss to the Thrashers. Shades of last season when injuries decimated the blue line or an unwelcome opportunity to showcase Lukas Krajicek in hopes he plays well and a team would make a trade?

Coach Rick Tocchet said he will decide on Monday who will take Foster's place Tuesday against the Hurricanes but said it will be either Krajicek or David Hale.

"Smabes," he said of Matt Smaby, who, like Krajicek and Hale, was scratched against Atlanta, "will have to wait his turn."

Losing Foster also hurts the power play as his big shot will be difficult to replace. He also is a right-handed shot, which is always valued at the point with a man advantage. Tocchet said he has not decided who to play at the point, but said he was toying with rookie defenseman Victor Hedman or creating a unit with five forwards.