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Lightning try to bounce back after dismal opening weekend

Oct 11, 2008 - 10:05 AM Carolina (1-0-0) at Tampa Bay (0-2-0) 7:30 p.m. EDT

TAMPA, Florida (Ticker) -- The Tampa Bay Lightning are hoping for better results on North American soil after a disappointing opening weekend overseas.

The Lightning try to avoid their worst start in six seasons on Saturday, when they host the Carolina Hurricanes in the opener at the St. Pete Times Forum.

Tampa Bay dropped a pair of 2-1 decisions to the New York Rangers last weekend as it opened the season in the Czech Republic as part of NHL Premiere 2008. Coach Barry Melrose, who returned to a spot behind the bench after a 12-year absence, was frustrated by his team's performance.

"We're too easy to play against. Until that changes, we're going to have trouble," Melrose said. "Our goaltenders (Mike Smith and Olaf Kolzig) are great. We have a lot of skill on our team, but skill doesn't mean anything if you don't work hard, and we're being outworked."

The Lightning need to step it up on Saturday to avoid dropping to 0-3-0 for the first time since 2001-02. Tampa Bay also is looking to snap a six-game slide that dates back to last campaign - its longest drought without a point since November 2005.

The Hurricanes rallied from a two-goal deficit in the first period on Friday to claim a 6-4 victory over the Florida Panthers in their season opener. Carolina had six different players score against the Panthers, including newcomer Dan LaCouture, who notched the eventual game-winning tally 3:32 into the third period.

LaCouture played in Switzerland last season after appearing in six games with the New Jersey Devils in 2006-07. He was signed to a one-year contract by the Hurricanes on Monday after attending training camp on a tryout basis.