ERIK ERLENDSSON 

TAMPA - Prior to the start of Friday's game, G Nikolai Khabibulin was honored for his achievements this season, which include a stellar All-Star game performance and earning a bronze medal with Russia in the Olympics. 

Lightning president Ron Campbell and general manager Jay Feaster presented the 29- year-old netminder with a complimentary watch and a bowl from Tiffany's. In addition, the team unveiled a display at the south end which is similar to a baseball game when fans put up a ``K'' when a strikeout is recorded. 

For each save Khabibulin makes, a flap is turned over and when he records 20 a brick wall is revealed that reads ``The Bulin Wall.'' 
All the fuss over Khabibulin is something Coach John Tortorella would rather not see. 

``It concerns me a little bit when you start marketing just one guy,'' Tortorella said. ``I understand why because Nik is the key figure on this team as the goaltender and he is probably in the top three in the world.''