Ferrablog

The bad news is that the Lightning still can't beat Ottawa. The good news is that they still managed a point tonight, and shaved their magic number for taking the top spot in the Eastern conference to 3. The Lightning fell 5-4 in overtime tonight, in a wild, wild tilt. The game featured two of the top scoring teams in the league, but for about all but the final three minutes it was a gritty, hard-hitting affair tied at 2. Then, all hell broke lose. Dave Andreychuk extended his 20-goal streak to 13 years when Vinny Lecavalier's point shot went off his chest on a power play, and the Lightning looked good up 3-2 with 3:12 left. But Ottawa responded with two quick goals, and Khabibulin was pulled. With the extra attacker on, Lecavalier and Brad Richards set up Andreychuk for the equalizer with 28 seconds left.

In the overtime, Dan Boyle (who scored earlier) nearly won it, hitting the post on a break. But with one minute to go in OT, Chris Phillips blasted a 20-footer past Habby after a Darryl Sydor giveaway. It was Sydor's first game back after missing three with a mysterious upper body injury, and he looked shaky all game tonight. The Lightning could very well face Ottawa in the second round of the playoffs (if they get by the Islanders, another team that's had their number), so they're likely going to have to figure out how to beat this team.

In the Marty St. Louis watch, he did pick up an assist tonight to up his point total to 90, but he still doesn't look to be the same player. He had a great chance tonight when Prusek was caught out of position and left half the net open, but St. Louis shot the puck right at the Ottawa netminder. If the Lightning can wrap up the #1 spot by beating Florida on Thursday, they definitely need to give him the night off against Atlanta on Saturday. I suppose if his scoring title is in jeopardy, he may play after all, but I still say he looks gassed.