By Damian Cristodero, Times Staff Writer
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Physically fit
Lightning C Steven Stamkos, right, is one of the world's 25 fittest men, says Men's Fitness magazine, along with celebrities such as Dr. Dre, David Beckham, LeBron James and Liam Neeson. There was no interview and no photo shoot, Stamkos said, and he didn't even know about the article until two days ago, which kind of tells you how much research the magazine did. Still, Stamkos said, "It's kind of cool seeing your name with A-list celebrities."
First of many
Lightning captain Vinny Lecavalier and wife Caroline on Monday had a small gathering at their Davis Islands home that included Tampa Bay players Nate Thompson and Teddy Purcell to celebrate the first birthday of daughter Victoria. The big surprise, Lecavalier said, was supposed to be the "huge" cake. "We figured she would just put it all in her face," he said of Victoria. "But she ended up crying. She was overwhelmed with everyone around her."
Three of a kind
As if the two sticks Marty St. Louis, right, took in the mouth in Game 2 vs. the Capitals weren't bad enough (neither resulted in a penalty), the Lightning wing Monday had three teeth cemented into his mouth. Those teeth were loosened by a stick blade in Game 1 against the Penguins, resulting in a double root canal. Monday's procedure was performed by team dentist Sam Caranante. The good news? "No root canals this time," St. Louis said.
Three stars
SEAN BERGENHEIM: The Lightning wing scored the game's first goal and nearly got another on a shorthanded partial breakaway in the third.
ALEX OVECHKIN: The Capitals wing was dangerous every time he had the puck, scored a power-play goal that put his team up 3-2 in the second and assisted on another goal.
VICTOR HEDMAN: The Lightning defenseman was strong again and assisted on Steven Stamkos' goal that made it 3-3 in the third.
Tickets
Tonight's Game 4 at the St. Pete Times Forum in Tampa is sold out, but potentially unused team tickets might be released. Check Ticketmaster (outlets, ticketmaster.com, toll-free 1-800-745-300).
The series Lightning leads 3-0
Game 1, Lightning 4, Capitals 2: Line of Downie-Bergenheim-Moore comes up big again.
Game 2, Lightning 3, Capitals 2 (OT): Vinny Lecavalier gets the winner.
Game 3, Lightning 4, Capitals 3: Goals by Steven Stamkos and Ryan Malone in the third erase 3-2 deficit.
Tonight: at Tampa Bay, 7, Sun Sports
Saturday: at Washington, 12:30, Ch. 8 *
Monday: at Tampa Bay, TBD, TBD *
May 11: at Washington, TBD, TBD *
* If necessary
Radio: Game 4 on 970-AM; rest TBD