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head coach: Jacques Demers

roster: C - Jason Bonsignore, Paul Ysebaert, Brian Bradley, Darcy Tucker. RW - Mikael Renberg, Stephane Richer, Jody Hull, Alexander Selivanov, Mikael Andersson, Sandy McCarthy, Andrei Nazarov. LW - Rob Zamuner, Troy Mallette, Vladimir Vujtek, Louie Debrusk, Corey Spring. D - Cory Cross, Karl Dykhuis, Yves Racine, David Wilkie, Mike McBain, Jassen Cullimore, Enrico Ciccone, Pavel Kubina. G - Daren Puppa, Corey Schwab, Mark Fitzpatrick, Zac Bierk.

injuries: Troy Mallette, lw (herniated disk, out for season); Brian Bradley, c (concussion/wrist injury, indefinite); Daren Puppa, g (back spasms, indefinite); Cory Schwab, g (sprained ankle, indefinite); Vladimir vujtek, c (virus, indefinite); Rob Zamuner, lw (back, day-to-day); Alexander Selivanov, rw (fractured cheekbone, day-to-day); Stephane Richer, rw (ankle, indefinite); Jody Hull, rw (sprained ankle, indefinite); Jassen Cullimore, d (knee sprain, indefinite).

transactions: Traded Jason Weimer, lw, to the Calgary Flames for Sandy McCarthy, rw, and third- and fifth-round draft picks in 1998; traded Bryan Marchment, d, and David Shaw, d, to the San Jose Sharks for Andrei Nazarov, rw, furue considerations, and a non-conditional swapt of first round picks in 1998; recalled Mike McBain, d, from Adirondack (AHL); assigned Steve Kelly, c, to Milwaukee (IHL).

standings:

Eastern Conference - Atlantic Division   
Team           GP   W   L   T   PTS   GF   GA
x-New Jersey   76  46  21   9   101  208  149  
x-Philadelphia 75  39  25  11    89  220  177  
Washington     75  36  28  11    83  202  189  
NY Rangers     77  23  36  18    64  186  217  
NY Islanders   74  26  38  10    62  194  209  
Florida        75  23  40  12    58  184  231  
Tampa Bay      75  17  49   9    43  144  241  
x - Clinched playoff spot

game results:

03/25 Montreal    L 2-1
03/26 St. Louis   L 3-2
03/28 Montreal    L 8-2
04/01 Rangers     W 3-1
04/02 Islanders   L 4-1
04/04 Pittsburgh  L 4-1

team news:

by Seth Lerman, Tampa Bay Correspondent

Throughout the majority of the season, the Tampa Bay Lightning have been a team without an identity. They did not (still don't) score; they did not hit; they did not stop the opposition from scoring; and they did not win many hockey games.

Some of that has changed in recent weeks as general manager Phil Esposito made several trades at the trading deadline, which have made the Lightning a bit stronger, if not younger.

Coming to the last place Bolts were youngsters Sandy McCarthy, a big hulking right winger, from the Calgary Flames, and rookie Andrei Nazarov, another big winger who has a penchant for on-ice lunacy, from the San Jose Sharks. Add these players to Enrico Ciccone and you have three players who can hurt you - with their fists.

Recent games have proven that if the Lightning do not beat you on the score sheet, they will beat you in the alley. Soon you may see headlines which read, "Lightning Win Fights Lose Game."

If you don't believe me, check out the statistics of the recent additions. In 58 games, McCarthy has eight goals, seven assists and 187 penalty minutes; Nazarov, in 46 games, has two goals, one assist, and 127 penalty minutes. Four other players top the 100 penalty minute plateau, including Ciccone (139 minutes), Darcy Tucker (103 minutes), Karl Dykhuis (104 minutes), and Louis Debrusk (142 minutes).

The acquisition fans are most happy about is Ciccone, who was easily the most popular player before a trade sent him from the Lightning to the Blackhawks two years ago.

"Oh Man, I'm pumped up, man," said Ciccone when informed he was dealt back to the Lightning from the Vancouver Canucks after a falling out with coach Mike Keenan.

"My wife is jumping up and down. Tampa Bay has been the best place of my life. It was the worst day of my life when I left. Today is the best day."

During his first tour of duty with the Lightning, Ciccone had a morning radio show, a TV commercial, and made numerous public relation appearances on behalf of the organization.

"Our fans have gone through so much this year," said Demers. "Why not bring back a very popular player?"

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