They're best in show

CALGARY, Alberta -- Through two games of the Stanley Cup finals, the Flames and Lightning have each received mammoth performances from their biggest stars.

In the opener of this best-of-seven series, which resumes tonight at the Saddledome, Calgary captain Jarome Iginla was dominant. Thursday it was Tampa Bay's Vincent Lecavalier who stepped up and spearheaded a 4-1 victory, tying the series. Iginla, who hit everything that moved in the first game, scored the winner shorthanded. In Game 2, Lecavalier's stickhandling led to the first goal by Ruslan Fedotenko. He also assisted on a late power-play goal.

In addition to his offense, the 24-year-old Lecavalier was a physical force similar to the way the 26-year-old Iginla was in the opener. Both are strong examples of how much the next generation of NHL talent has to offer.

In the opening period of Game 2, Lecavalier made a highlight-film play when he shed Calgary's Stephane Yelle by passing to himself, firing the puck off the back of the net. When he got it back, he changed direction and after briefly losing the puck, dished a pass to defenseman Jassen Cullimore. Goalie Miikka Kiprusoff made the initial stop but Fedotenko scored on a rebound after his first bid was turned back.

Even Flames coach Darryl Sutter was impressed.

"[Lecavalier] made a great play on the first goal against our best checking centerman," said Sutter. "I think that he followed Jarome's lead from the other night. You knew they were going to come out hard and they did."

Sutter said that other than Iginla, his best players weren't able to get anything going and that was the difference.

"In the first period, other than Jarome, our skilled players . . . our workers worked but we had some skill players that weren't as effective in tough areas as [Tampa's] skill players," he said.

The Lightning had two problems in the first game. They were fatigued from the seven-game Eastern Conference finals with the Philadelphia Flyers, and they were nervous. Many on the roster had never been to the finals. Whatever difficulties they struggled through then, none were evident in Game 2.

Lecavalier, who set the tone for his teammates, said he has made a conscious effort to be more physical as the postseason has gone along and really kicked it in during the Flyers series.

"I've tried, definitely, the last I would say four or five games," he said. "I started with Philly, especially in the first period, you know, trying to hit their [defense] and play behind their [defense], so it's been working and I am going to keep working at it."

Given the publicity generated by Iginla's performance in Game 1 and the fact that Lightning captain Dave Andreychuk, in his 22d season, is playing in his first Cup final, Lecavalier has been able to fly under the radar. He said he understands why Iginla draws so much attention and he respects what Iginla has done throughout the playoffs.

"Jarome is a great player and he's proven himself in the league and the playoffs," said Lecavalier, who won 12 of the 16 faceoffs he took in Game 2. "He has been phenomenal for Calgary. He plays hard every single night. I just play my game."

As both coaches have emphasized, though, it has far more to do with a group effort than it does individual effort. Lecavalier agrees. Whether it be defenseman Dan Boyle, who scored in Game 2 despite reeling from the near total loss of his South Tampa home in a fire on Tuesday while he was playing in Game 1, or Andreychuk, whose calm and leadership have been invaluable, everyone finds a way to contribute.

"I think when you go so far in the playoffs, it's a team effort and personally, I try to be ready every single night," said Lecavalier.

If the Lightning were jittery and unsure in the opener, they've righted their ship and said they've learned a lesson about being prepared.

"The second we stepped off the ice after [Game 1], we knew we hadn't done enough," said Boyle.

"We did watch tape but even that, I mean, we just knew. [Thursday], I thought we came out a lot harder and with a lot more desperation."