TSN TV Schedule TSN2 TV Schedule

Stamkos scores again as Lightning beat Panthers

{eot}
Associated Press
1/29/2013 10:43:12 PM
Decrease Text SizeIncrease Text Size
Text Size

TAMPA, Fla. -- High-scoring Steven Stamkos is not alone when it comes to Tampa Bay's offensive attack.

Stamkos scored his fourth goal of the season and five Lightning players had goals in Tampa Bay's 5-2 win over the Florida Panthers on Tuesday night.

"We're doing good things," Lightning coach Guy Boucher said. "We're not good, yet."

Tampa Bay, which has won five of six to start the year, also got goals from Cory Conacher, Tom Pyatt, Dana Tyrell and Vincent Lecavalier. Stamkos, who led the NHL with 60 goals last season, has 11 points during a season-opening six-game point streak this year.

Peter Mueller and Tomas Fleischmann scored for the Panthers, who have lost five in a row after a season-opening win over Carolina. Florida has been outscored 23-5 during its skid.

"I think our record is fairly accurate of our play the last four games," coach Kevin Dineen said. "I hate to say we deserve to be where we are right now. ... It's a matter of us deciding how we're going to deal with it, and we will."

Stamkos put the Lightning up 1-0 on a power-play goal at 11:09 of the first. The man advantage came after Panthers defenceman Keaton Ellerby received two minor penalties, a fighting major and 10-minute misconduct following a fight with Tampa Bay right wing B.J. Crombeen, who had tripped Florida defenceman Ed Jovanovski with his leg. Crombeen was given one minor penalty and a fighting major.

"I've been around long enough, it's something that I take pride in is playing honest," Crombeen said, explaining that the trip was unintentional. "I would, obviously, never do that to someone."

The Panthers tied it just 15 seconds after Stamkos' goal when Mueller scored after Lightning goalie Anders Lindback misplayed the puck behind his net.

Tampa Bay went up 2-1 when Conacher, while being held from behind by Florida defenceman Mike Weaver, skated down the slot and beat goalie Jose Theodore with 7:11 left in the first.

Second-period goals by Pyatt and Tyrell extended the Lightning's lead to 4-1. Tyrell stopped a personal 38-game goal drought.

"I don't think we've really played a good game yet," Florida defenceman Filip Kuba said. "It's obviously embarrassing when you lose five straight, but it's not the right time to put our heads down and feel sorry for ourselves. We've got another game coming, and we've got 40-something more left. We've got to quickly figure out what we've got to do to get ready and play better."

After Lecavalier had a power-play goal 14:13 into the third, Fleischmann scored on a short-handed breakaway 18 seconds later. The Lightning have outscored their opposition 14-2 during the third period this season.

"Obviously, right now we're not getting any bounces, but we don't deserve them," Panthers right wing Tomas Kopecky said. "We are not working hard. We are not competing hard enough, and all the 50-50 pucks, the other team is winning and we've got to change it. And it's got to change right now. It's too late right now, actually, so everybody here is fed up."

Tampa Bay's Martin St. Louis had an assist. The right wing has nine assists and 12 points overall.

NOTES: Stamkos has a six-game goal streak against the Panthers. ... Florida LW Kris Versteeg (groin) played for first time this season. ... Conacher, in his rookie season, has at least one point in five of six games this year. ... The Panthers recalled C Drew Shore from San Antonio of the AHL.

Lightning celebrate (Photo: The Canadian Press)

zoom

(Photo: The Canadian Press)
Share This

Share This

Add to FacebookAdd to DiggAdd to FarkAdd to TwitterAdd to Stumble UponAdd to Reddit
Print this Story

Round 1 continues with the Blue Jackets' Marian Gaborik taking on Magnus Paajarvi of the Oilers.
Watch the video and vote for your favourite play!

Eastern Conference Semifinals

(1) Pittsburgh Penguins vs. (7) Ottawa Senators

Penguins lead series 2-0

(4) Boston Bruins vs. (6) New York Rangers

Bruins lead series 1-0


Western Conference Semifinals

(1) Chicago Blackhawks vs. (7) Detroit Red Wings

Series tied 1-1

(5) Los Angeles Kings vs. (6) San Jose Sharks

Kings lead series 2-1



Playoff History and Records

NHL on TSN Playoff Fantasy Tracker

TSN TweetBox

Are you ready for the Challenge? Select your roster of 6F, 4D, and 2G each round of the playoffs, and you could win the New 2014 Kia Sorento! Make your picks for ROUND 2 NOW! PLAY NOW!


CURRENT CANADIAN LEADER BOARD

Get in-depth player stats, real-time on the ice matchups, Twitter Trender and so much more. Follow every play for every game.


GameTracker - Full Schedule

Welcome to TSN Predictor: Playoff Edition presented by Kia. Simply build the highest consecutive point streak during the playoffs and you could take home an all-new 2014 Rondo! It's that simple. Pick smart. Win Big.