TAMPA - Darryl Sydor didn't give anything away about the upper body injury he suffered Tuesday against the Maple Leafs. But the Lightning defenseman said he sat out Thursday as a precaution, and head medical trainer Tommy Mulligan said Sydor could play Saturday. "If (Thursday) was the playoffs, I'd be playing," Sydor said. "I'm just resting it. I don't want it to get any worse."
Sydor said the injury occurred during the first period on "an innocent hit."
Mulligan said the injury is serious enough "for us to be concerned," but added three days of rest could be enough to get Sydor in the lineup against Washington.
"Most likely," Mulligan said. "But I don't want to say 100 percent."
Since acquiring Sydor from the Blue Jackets on Jan. 27, the Lightning is 20-5-2-4.
Sydor said there is "not even a chance" he won't be ready for the playoffs.
SAY WHAT?: The Lightning and referee Dave Jackson did not see eye to eye on the four minutes of penalties defenseman Pavel Kubina received in the second period.
The call, with Tampa Bay ahead 1-0, gave New Jersey, which already had used 1:36 of power-play time with Brad Lukowich in the box, another two minutes, including 24 seconds at five on three.
"I don't think it was a good call," Kubina said.
"A joke," coach John Tortorella said.
Kubina was called for interference after Jackson ruled he pushed New Jersey's Raymond Giroux into Devils goalie Martin Brodeur, who fell to the ice after he said he was hit in the ribs. Kubina and Giroux also were called for roughing after a scrum behind the net started by Giroux.
"He fell on his own goalie," Kubina said. "I don't think that should have been called."
The Lightning killed off Kubina's penalties without allowing a shot and forced the Devils once to ice the puck. The crowd booed throughout.
"It was like a playoff atmosphere," Brodeur said. "It was fun. I don't know if they thought I was faking it or something like that. But they have great fans."
"A big kill," Tortorella said. "You kill it off because it's a lousy call. If it's the right call, it's probably in our net. Just a godawful call."
ODDS AND ENDS: Captain Dave Andreychuk was named to an all-time team of players born in Hamilton, Ontario. Also named: coach Pat Quinn, goalie Allan Bester, defensemen Harry Howell and Ric Nattress and forwards Derek King and Murray Oliver. ... Defenseman Stan Neckar (groin) skated with the team for the first time since being acquired March 9 from the Predators. ... Wing Andre Roy and defenseman Darren Rumble were scratched.
