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Khabibulin Rules Lightning Crease - Damian Cristodero - Nov. 9, 2001 - Vol. 55, Issue. 10
Asked why he wasn’t starting goaltender Kevin Weekes against the Kings Oct. 25, coach John Tortorella’s answer was simple and straight to the point.
The organization, the coach said, is committed to getting Nikolai Khabibulin back to the elite level he enjoyed two seasons ago with the Coyotes.
If that means giving him the bulk of the work, then that’s the way it will be. The question came up because Weekes had been spectacular in shutting out the Kings 1-0 Oct. 13 and had not played since.
There was no questioning the decision after Khabibulin stopped 28 shots in a 3-0 win at the Ice Palace. That gave the Lightning four wins and a tie in its last nine games after opening with three straight defeats.
Khabibulin’s first shutout of the season gave him a 3-4-1 record and a sizzling .923 save percentage.
“When you go out there, you try to stop every puck, but you never expect a shutout,” Khabibulin said. “The players are making every effort to help the goalie and if there is a breakdown, I’m going to make every effort to stop the puck. It makes you feel so much better to see that kind of effort.”
NET RESULTS Khabibulin has taken giant steps since the beginning of the season. He came into camp in excellent shape, but playing in game conditions has improved his stamina and his technical abilities. His angles have sharpened, his anticipation is superb and his glove hand is as quick as ever.
MINUTE MUNCHER Martin St. Louis averaged 15:14 of ice time last season. That has risen to 19:24 this season and it may go higher if he keeps playing at such a high level. After nine games, St. Louis led the team with nine points, including five goals. He was also plus-5.
NOTEBOOK Tampa Bay allowed only seven goals in a six-game stretch Oct. 13-25, a team record…The Lightning had not been .500 since opening last season with a 3-3 tie against Vancouver. The team had not been .500 this late in a season since the 14th game of 1998-99…Third-year center Vincent Lecavalier was struggling. Through seven games he had no goals and just two assists. The top pick in the 1998 entry draft was also minus-2.
