David Hale News

Got a call last week from Tampa Bay Lightning owner Oren Koules. The man who brings you the Saw horror movies as well as Two and a Half Men was a little upset at his team being identified as one of my three disappointing teams through the first quarter of the 2009-10 season.

Tampa Bay Stephane Veilleux, centre, celebrates his goal with David Hale, left, as Atlanta's Ilya Kovalchuk looks on Sunday.

Coach Rick Tocchet said he didn't know what to expect from David Hale after the defenseman was acquired in July from the Coyotes in the Radim Vrbata deal.

Maybe it was because they were well-rested and their opponents were playing on consecutive nights.

Record: 3-3-3 Last Result: Lost 3-2 SO vs. Buffalo Streak: Lost 1 Next Game: New Jersey - @ home Saturday, October 31st Ottawa Senators Record: 6-2-2 Last Result: Won 4-3 @ Florida Streak: Win 1 Next Game: Atlanta @ Ottawa, Saturday, October 31st Tonight the Lightning will host the Ottawa Senators, fresh off a 4-3 win over the Florida Panthers last ...

The odds of left wing Drew Miller scoring on his brother, goalie Ryan Miller, tonight when the Lightning host the Buffalo Sabres aren't great.

Tampa Bay Lightning coach Rick Tocchet addressed the team after this morning's skate and promised to allocate playing time tonight against San Jose according to effort.

The Lightning had four open days to collect themselves after a disastrous trip to Ottawa and Pittsburgh last week.

Mike Smith won for the first time in nine months, James Wright scored his first NHL goal and the Tampa Bay Lightning beat the San Jose Sharks 5-2 on Thursday night.

Nothing really worked out today for those of us who like a good story. Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Kurtis Foster was scratched from tonight's game with the Sharks, and San Jose center Torrey Mitchell is on long-term injured reserve with tendinitis in his left knee and is not even with the team.

Since dropping a pair of games on a recent two-game road trip, the last of which resulted in a tongue-lashing from management, the Lightning have endured a few days of intense practice and workouts.

Downie started the season on that line, but was moved down to the fourth line after the second game.

Milan Michalek scored three times, including a pair of short-handed goals, Thursday night and the Ottawa Senators handed the Tampa Bay Lightning a 7-1 beating.

Make no mistake, coach Rick Tocchet said, Mike Smith is the Lightning 's No. 1 goaltender.

G Mike Smith is healthy enough to play but said he had no problem with backup G Antero Niittymaki starting Monday for the second straight game.

Two Southeast Division foes get together tonight, when the Tampa Bay Lightning welcome the Florida Panthers to St.

G Mike Smith described his injury as general soreness and stiffness, and said he could have played Saturday without consequence.

A film crew from Sweden followed the 18-year-old around Atlanta last weekend, returned to Philips Arena for Hedman's first career game and will be on hand Thursday when the Lightning play their home opener against New Jersey.

David Hale got his first ice time of the season Tuesday in place of injured D Kurtis Foster .

Practices are important, Matt Smaby said. The Lightning defenseman said he tries to be one of the first players on the ice before workouts and one of the last off when they are done.