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BoltProspects: @cdnbasspro No, they want depth there. They also like Killorn, Johnson, Palat, and Panik on the wing coming up. Possible, but unlikely.
BoltProspects: This week's #TBLightning Prospect of the Week is … http://t.co/FFANMFq1 #SYRCrunch
Annie Godbee Honored as Lightning Community Hero
BoltProspects: If you're into NCAA football recruiting and are a #Gators fan, give friend of BP @jeffbarlisESPN a follow. @derektysonESPN, too. #NSD
BoltProspects: Soccer game tonight so DVRing the #TBLightning game. @mikegallimore may jump on the @BoltProspects account for some comments.
BoltProspects: Cory Conacher No.1 in ESPN Rookie Rankings (Insider) http://t.co/qP4CD3nX (via @GPSHOCKEY) #TBLightning
Lineup tweaks are likely coming for the Tampa Bay Lightning tonight against the Flyers
Nothing was announced officially, but watching the Tampa Bay Lightning's morning skate for its game tonight against the Flyers seemed to indicate a few lineup changes.
With Pierre-Cedric Labrie off the ice early and Dana Tyrell staying late, it seems as if Labrie will get his first game action since the Jan. 21 road opener against the Islanders. Defenseman Marc-Andre Bergeron might also get some playing time as he also was off the ice early. Another tweak: wings Teddy Purcell and Ryan Malone have swapped assignments. Purcell was on a line with center Vinny Lecavalier and Cory Conacher. Malone took Purcell's former spot on a line with center Steven Stamkos and Marty St. Louis.
"I tend to keep Stammer and Marty together and Conacher and Vinny together and move guys in and out of there depending on the period, depending on the momentum (of a game)," coach Guy Boucher said. "Malone brings a physical aspect to a line and Teddy brings a passing ability and vision that's out of the ordinary,so they're both good on both lines depending on the moment of the game. If I want to stir up something or I see something or I see the matchup that the other teams wants to have against us, sometimes I'll make a different decision."
As for how Labrie and Bergeron have handled their lack of playing time -- Labrie got 4:54 against the Islanders, Bergeron has 14:15 in two games -- Boucher said he could not have asked for more.
"Terrific attitude and work ethic," he said. "I know they're boiling and want to play, but they want more and to show what they can do. But on the outside, they've helped out the team chemistry and atmosphere."
"I'm practicing and I know I'm getting better, so there's nothing wrong with that," Labrie said. "I'm keeping the positive side. I'm closing my eyes to the other one."
Even so, he added, "Everybody feels the same when you're sitting down and watching, but we have such a good team. When you win like that you can't expect the coach to make the lineup changes or anything. Nobody deserves to sit."
Other stuff from the morning skate: As expected Anders Lindback will get the start in net. ... Defenseman Victor Hedman (left foot) did not skate in the morning but is expected to play. ... Lecavalier (left foot) also skated in the morning and is expected to play. ... Defenseman Brendan Mikkelson (right shoulder and general soreness) has been cleared to play after sliding head- and shoulder-first into the end boards during a Thursday practice at the Tampa Bay Times Forum. ... Defenseman Matt Carle will play for the first time at the Wells Fargo Center since he left he Flyers as a free agent and signed last summer with the Lightning. "It's a little different. I have a lot of memories in this building," said Carle, who spent four seasons with Philadelphia. "It's weird being over here in this locker room. I had to do a quick tour. I think, maybe, I played two games on the road against the Flyers before I got traded here. I didn't know what the visiting locker room really looked like." ... Tyrell probably is out of the lineup tonight, but that does not mean he hasn't impressed Boucher. "He is pond-for-pound one of the strongest players we've got and one of the most dedicated individuals we've got." ... Ben Pouliot also has impressed, Boucher said. "In front of the net he's unbelievable," he said. "Our goaltenders have told me he's one of the best they've ever seen. So, he screens and he's not scared."
BoltProspects: RT @NHLAdamK: Flyers' Kurtis Foster credits time in Tampa, especially with Marty St. Louis, for extending his career - http://t.co/x5eDF779
BoltProspects: RT @sthomasphotos: Crossing the Blueline @SyracuseCrunch @tjohnny09 skating into @AmerksHockey zone. http://t.co/yMQXVJHs #sports #hocke ...
BoltProspects: Lindback makes it: http://t.co/rf4JhaU7 RT @USATsportsImage: The @USATsportsImage #photos of the week: http://t.co/jgSKeHMK
BoltProspects: Excellent. RT @RenLavoieRDS: Vincent Lecavalier will play tonight vs Flyers.
Bolts face different mentality on the road
BoltProspects: @DerekTysonESPN I love how people want you to make predictions, but only in favor of their team; and then if you're wrong, it's your fault.
Lightning To Host Watch Party At Hooter's In St. Petersburg
Weekly Syracuse Crunch Roundup
BoltProspects: RT @PSCrunchHockey: Syracuse Crunch players begin to hammer out their problems by pounding on each other | http://t.co/H5H3j37h http://t ...
Lightning captain Vinny Lecavalier (foot) still expects to play Tuesday against the Flyers
Tampa Bay Lightning captain Vinny Lecavalier said his left ankle, which on Saturday was hit flush by a shot from teammate Sami Salo, still is sore, and he did not practice Monday. But about Tuesday's game against the Flyers, Lecavalier said, "There is no thought of me not playing."
Lecavalier, who has four goals, 11 points in eight games, as well as a team-best 24 hits, was hurt just as the third period of Saturday's 3-2 loss to the Rangers ended. Tampa Bay had closed to one goal with 21 seconds left on Steven Stamkos' second goal of the game and seventh of the season, and Salo's shot from the blue line was the team's last chance.
But the shot deflected slightly off New York's Brian Boyle and hit Lecavalier on the outside of the left ankle. Lecavalier went down face-first when hit and skated slowly off the ice, occasionally doubling over in pain. But X-rays and an MRI exam revealed no serious damage and the team said Lecavalier has a bone bruise.
Asked how the lineup would change if Lecavalier could not play, coach Guy Boucher said, "He'll play."
Lecavalier said he skipped Monday's practice simply to give the ankle a bit more time to heal, and he said he will keep icing and get other treatments.
"It's still pretty sore," he said. "But honestly, there's no thought of me not playing tomorrow."
Notes: Boucher said Anders Lindback, 5-1-0 this season with a 2.83 goals-against average and .911 save percentage, will get the start against the Flyers. ... Right wing B.J. Crombeen still is wearing a walking boot and still is using crutches, but both are said to be precautions to protect his injured left foot he said was hurt by a puck several games ago. Crombeen has not missed a game.
