Matt Smaby News

Who has been the Lightning 's best forward the past couple of weeks? Try Jeff Halpern , who entered Friday with two goals and an assist in the six games since he was put on right wing with C Vinny Lecavalier and Alex Tanguay .

Steven Stamkos has to shoot more. That is the critique of Lightning coach Rick Tocchet , who said the second-year center has to regain his "gunslinger" mentality to get out of a rut in which, entering Monday, he had no goals and one assist in four games.

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.

A "change of scenery." That is how Lightning coach Rick Tocchet described an interesting personnel move Friday night against the Devils as he put captain Vinny Lecavalier on left wing for a couple of shifts with C Paul Szczechura and Steve Downie .

Almost a year later, Recchi is not surprised to see the top pick in the 2008 draft taking flight.

"Vinny, you guys know him, he's contagious," Tortorella said. "He came into camp in great shape, he lost some weight, I'm not sure how much, but the best way to get Vinny Prospal is when he wants to prove a point.

Matt Duchene had two goals and Craig Anderson made 33 saves to lead the Colorado Avalanche past the Tampa Bay Lightning 3-0 on Monday night.

The Tampa Bay Lightning sent defenseman Mike Lundin back to AHL Norfolk. That lessens the Lightning's logjam on the blue line.

Rangers coach John Tortorella admitted it was "a little weird" stepping into the visitor's locker room of the St.

Kurtis Foster had two goals, Steven Stamkos added his team-high 16th and the Tampa Bay Lightning routed New York 5-1 on Friday night, spoiling Rangers coach John Tortorella's first game against his former team.

Lundin was recalled from AHL Norfolk on Tuesday, only a day after getting sent down.

10 in Buffalo. The 25-year-old was pretty sure that was going to be his last game in a Lightning uniform.

Mike Smith never has lacked for confidence, but even the Lightning goaltender admitted his solid three games on last week's road trip were needed.

To be honest, Mike Lundin said, he did not believe he would again play for the Lightning.

Considering it was supposed to be a minor inconvenience, the suspected right ankle injury of D Mattias Ohlund has been a major pain.

The Lightning weren't very good on the road early in the season, starting with a 6-3 loss at Atlanta in the season opener.

Some things just don't change, so it should come as no surprise that former Wild winger Stephane Veilleux is the Tampa Bay Lightning's reining pingpong champion.

Commissioner Gary Bettman said he planned to "chat" with Lightning co-owner Oren Koules during Monday's game with the Coyotes, but he offered little new concerning how or when the organization's ownership saga will end.

After a run of six consecutive starts, Antero Niittymaki will take a seat tonight when the Lightning visit Jobing.com Arena outside Phoenix tonight .

Ryan Craig and Matt Smaby re-assigned to Norfolk by the Lightning Though the announcement came on Monday with the move happening on Sunday, the Lightning has sent Ryan Craig and Matt Smaby back to Norfolk of the AHL.