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GOAL RECORD JUST BONUS FOR JOHNSON

 
Published April 12, 2014|Updated April 14, 2014

Okay, Lightning F Tyler Johnson finally admitted, setting a team rookie record Thursday against the Flyers with his 24th goal was "pretty cool."

And having captain Steven Stamkos, who had the former record of 23, get the primary assist was "picturesque."

But really, Johnson said Friday, "It's not something I'm going to define my career on. I don't even know if it will ever come out of my mouth."

Still, it is a fitting marker for Johnson in a season in which, entering Friday against the Blue Jackets, his 50 points and 26 assists were third among league rookies. His 24 goals were tied for first.

"Pretty lofty stuff," Lightning coach Jon Cooper said.

For Johnson, though, more important was adapting to the NHL, which he said is a lot less hectic than the AHL, which makes it less instinctive.

"In the American league, everyone is going a million miles an hour just trying to kill people," Johnson said. "It's hectic out there, but it creates space because people are out of position. Up here, guys are so good at being in position, you don't have much time or space.

"It's a lot of thinking in the NHL. One or 2 feet can make a huge difference (in the defensive zone). In the offensive zone, just try to find the limited open space that you can. It's not much."

Johnson, 23, found it against the Flyers and took a perfect pass from Stamkos before snapping a one-timer past G Ray Emery.

"I didn't have to do much with that goal," Johnson said. "(Stamkos) just kind of laid it in there for me, so it was perfect."

HERE, NOW: F Cedric Paquette was called up from AHL Syracuse and was in the lineup. Paquette, 20, drafted 101st overall in 2012, had 20 goals, 44 points and 153 penalty minutes in 70 games for the Crunch. "He's a real fierce competitor, smart hockey player, good skills," GM Steve Yzerman said. "He had a good, solid first year. We want to get a peek at him in a regular-season game."

COMING SOON, MAYBE: Andrey Vasilevskiy's KHL season ended Friday with Ufa's elimination from the playoffs, and Yzerman said his plan is to sign the goaltending prospect "as soon as possible."

"I don't want to overstate or overhype anything," Yzerman said, "but he's got tremendous potential."

Drafted 19th overall in 2012, Vasilevskiy, 19, was 8-6-0 in 14 games for Ufa with a 2.24 goals-against average and a .928 save percentage. His contract runs through April 30. The Lightning could sign him before that if Ufa agrees, though rumors are Ufa has offered a one-year extension.

MEDICAL MATTERS: C Valtteri Filppula sat out with a previously undisclosed lower-body injury. ... RW Teddy Purcell was out with the flu. ... D Sami Salo (upper body) skated Friday morning but sat out his second straight game.

ODDS AND ENDS: The Lightning was 6-11-2 with a tie in season home closers entering Friday. ... D Matt Carle played his 600th NHL game. ... Forwards Cody Kunyk and Ryan Malone, defensemen Keith Aulie and Mark Barberio, and G Ben Bishop (elbow) also were scratched.