Lukas Krajicek News

Matt Cullen #8 of the Carolina Hurricanes battles for the puck against Lukas Krajicek #2 of the Tampa Bay Lightning during an NHL game on November 21, 2009 at RBC Center in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Sometimes the NHL schedule maker can look an awful lot like Ebenezer Scrooge, giving teams little leeway heading into certain games.

Not looking for trouble It should be no surprise that LW James Wright , above, whom Lightning coach Rick Tocchet has praised for being very coachable, was not a problem child.

Hedman skated Monday for the first time since getting drilled by Chris Neil in a 3-2 overtime loss to the Senators, but the effects of getting his heart rate up won't be fully known until after he gets a night of sleep.

Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Victor Hedman skated during Monday's practice and participated fully.

The one thing players say they want most from on-ice officials is consistency. That is why two calls last week, both of which went against the Lightning, are worth exploring.

An encouraging Toronto debut from Phil Kessel couldn't save the Maple Leafs from yet another overtime loss.

Kessel can't change course Toronto Maple Leafs forward Phil Kessel, left, skates by as the Tampa Bay Lightning celebrate their first goal during second period NHL action on Tuesday, Nov.

Coach Rick Tocchet reiterated there could be roster changes in the not-so-distant future if the Lightning did not pick up its intensity, especially on the road.

Backup G Antero Niittymaki, making his first start in two weeks due to the Lightning's light schedule, said it "felt like forever" since he had been in a game.

It was good enough for the league lead except that the Lightning center was 21 faceoffs shy of qualifying.

The Lightning aren't saying why defenseman Paul Ranger was granted an indefinite leave of absence today, and Ranger wasn't available for comment.

Had circumstances been different, Thursday's game would have included a notable encounter.

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.

There is no second-guessing for Ryan Malone , no what-ifs. The left wing, who left the Penguins after the 2007-08 season to sign a seven-year, $31.5 million contract with the Lightning, said he watched every game as his former teammates won last season's Stanley Cup.

Ryan Malone is counting on a big 2010 even if he doesn't earn a spot on the United States' men's ice hockey team that will play at the Winter Olympics in Vancouver.

For any Senators fans lamenting Ottawa's trade of Dany Heatley or the team's lack of scoring early in this NHL season, Milan Michalek delivered Thursday night.

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

Antero Niittymaki played well in his first start, so he gets the call tonight although Mike Smith feels well enough to play.

The Tampa Bay Lightning have been a doormat for most other teams in the NHL for too many years now.