Jeff Halpern News

One game after being healthy scratches, former All-Star winger Alex Tanguay and veteran center Jeff Halpern will return to the lineup tonight as the Lightning invade Hockey Town to face the Detroit Red Wings.

This is what it has come to for the Lightning. Between the second and third periods Tuesday night, players spoke of simply winning the period.

Looking to turn around recent misfortunes and wakeup a slumping team, Lightning coach Rick Tocchet has benched two of Tampa Bay's top players.

If only I lived in Tampa. And liked hockey. And was Jewish. While that last point is up for debate, the other are clearly in the negative.

Tampa Bay Lightning center Steven Stamkos said he was hit on the right wrist by a puck during Wednesday night's game with the Oilers.

There actually was a bit of anticipation going out to practice today as the Tampa Bay Lightning licked its wounds from Monday's 3-0 loss to the Capitals and coach Rick Tocchet's benching of the top two lines for the final seven minutes or so of the game.

After a disappointing game against the Washington Capitals in which the Lightning lost 3-0 on Monday night, the team looks to get back on the winning track Wednesday night as they host the Edmonton Oilers , winners of three straight.

For the better part of the first half of Monday's game, the Lightning skated hard, defended strong, battled along the walls and withstood the dynamic Washington attack.

First, you have to get their attention. One day after benching his top forwards for the final segments of a 3-0 loss to Washington, Lightning coach Rick Tocchet reshuffled his top lines.

Lightning coach Rick Tocchet did not talk to reporters after Monday night's 3-0 loss to the Capitals at the St.

The Washington Capitals have survived not having Alex Ovechkin in the lineup over the past week.

Mike Smith madeA 30 savesA to record his ninthA career shutout as the Lightning blanked the Isles 4-0 on Saturday night.

Though the Lightning held a meeting Saturday morning to discuss its struggling penalty-kill unit, coach Rick Tocchet said there's no need for schematic changes.

Rookie defenseman Victor Hedman scored his first NHL goal and Mike Smith made 30 saves to lead the Tampa Bay Lightning past the New York Islanders 4-0 on Saturday night.

He didn't stand up in front of his locker and announce to the world he'd been vindicated.

For Lightning coach Rick Tocchet, the frustrating part of Friday night's 3-2 loss to the Devils at the Prudential Center is that a between-periods reminder to his players seemed to go unheard - or at least not sink in.

It's been a busy week for Marc Savard. A day after signing a seven-year contract extension that could keep him in black and gold for the rest of his career, the Boston forward scored his 200th NHL goal and Marco Sturm scored twice on Wednesday night to lead the Bruins to a 4-1 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning.

All Vinny Lecavalier had to do Wednesday against the Bruins was tap in a perfect pass from Victor Hedman.

Coach Rick Tocchet kept returning to the same theme Wednesday night. Even as the talk about a 4-1 loss to the Bruins at TD Garden wandered to goaltending errors and defensive gaffes, Tocchet would not be redirected.

TV - NESN. Radio - WBZ-FM . THE NUMBERS 25: Power-play goals allowed by Tampa Bay in 25 games.