TAMPA
Lightning coach Jon Cooper said the only area of the ice his team didn't defend Thursday against the Maple Leafs was the 10-by-10 area in front of the net.
The result was a short night for G Andrei Vasilevskiy, who allowed four goals in the 5-0 loss at Amalie Arena, including three in the second period when he was pulled 6:14 in.
"It looks bad for Vasilevskiy," Cooper said, "but there's not much you can do when you got guys tapping them in."
It was Vasilevskiy's first loss since taking over for the traded Ben Bishop, ending a 6-0-1 run.
"A couple of bad breaks," Vasilevskiy said. "I think they played real simple. They were shooting the puck and scrambles in front. Good screens. It's tough to play when a team is playing like that."
It was the first time Vasilevskiy was pulled from a game since Dec. 23 at Washington and the most goals he allowed since he gave up four in an overtime loss Feb. 18 at Dallas.
"He's making the first save on all of those (shots)," LW Alex Killorn said. "The rebounds, we have to take guys in front of the net. Really not his fault at all. We have to be a lot better in front of him. He's been really huge down the stretch. We have to help him out a little bit."
Welcome back, Brian
C Brian Boyle returned to Amalie Arena for the first time since his March 3 trade to the Leafs. He wore No. 24, which was a nod to former teammate Ryan Callahan — "my buddy Cally" — and Boyle's wife's birthday (May 24).
Boyle had dinner Wednesday night with former Lightning teammates Steven Stamkos, Victor Hedman and Callahan, along with their significant others.
Stamkos made it a point Thursday morning to tell Leafs coach Mike Babcock how good a teammate Boyle is.
"We hope he rubs off," Babcock said.
Quote of the day
"He's a phenomenal human being. If I needed a young kid to be mentored, I went to Boyle."
Lightning coach Jon Cooper, on Brian Boyle
Welcome back, Brad
Former Lightning standout Brad Richards was in the house. Richards won the Conn Smythe Trophy as the MVP of the 2004 Stanley Cup final. He scored seven winning goals during the Lightning's run to the Cup.
Still hurting
Centers Tyler Johnson, Cedric Paquette and Vladislav Namestnikov missed the game. Coach Jon Cooper said he didn't know if any of the three would return Saturday against the visiting Capitals.
Another reunion
C Byron Froese, acquired from Toronto in the Brian Boyle (left) trade, made his home debut for Tampa Bay against his former team.
"He's been good, he's a responsible player," coach Jon Cooper said. "He's done everything we've asked. He's jumped right in, won some big draws for us, had some pretty good chances to score. He's been a pleasant surprise and a good pickup."
Family fun
The Lightning hosts its third annual Bolts Family Carnival ,from 1-4 p.m. Sunday at Amalie Arena. Fans can interact with Lightning players, coaching staff and alumni. Admission is $40 per person, $20 for children under 12. All proceeds go to the Lightning Foundation.