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Lightning Suddenly Streaking

The Associated Press

Martin St. Louis is congratulated by teammate Vincent Lecavalier after scoring a third-period goal.

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By TONY FABRIZIO | The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 28, 2008

TAMPA - Dance and rock music filled the locker room. Players cracked smiles.

Suddenly, the Lightning didn't look so downtrodden.

Playing arguably their best offensive game, the Lightning rolled to a 6-4 victory against the Florida Panthers on Saturday night, sweeping the consecutive-nights home-and-home series with their in-state rivals

"The last three games, I really feel guys are on the same page - the most we've been on the same page all year," said right wing Marty St. Louis, who was openly critical of his team's effort only last week. "We're seeing it in the results."

A team that had managed two victories in its previous 19 games and appeared to hit rock bottom Dec. 20 with a loss to lowly Atlanta has won three in row.

And by Tampa Bay standards, Saturday's season-high six-goal output was an offensive explosion.

"We haven't had a six-goal night, so it's nice to fill the net," interim coach Rick Tocchet said. "We needed something like that. We've been struggling to score goals."

Captain Vinny Lecavalier scored his 13th and 14th goals of the year, St. Louis had a goal and three assists and Ryan Malone matched career highs with three assists and four points. Rookie Steven Stamkos, on a night when mini-bobbleheads of his likeness were given out, scored his first NHL goal at home.

Entering the game, a Lightning player had scored at least three points in a game only three times this season. Steve Eminger did it twice against Florida, and Stamkos had two goals and an assist at Buffalo on Oct. 30.

Saturday, Lecavalier, St. Louis and Malone all had at least three points.

"I thought we connected very well, and things went in," Lecavalier said. "It's good we got the victory and got three in a row. It's good for our confidence."

The Lightning played with urgency from the outset, outshooting the Panthers 21-3 in the opening period. Only the terrific early play of goalie Tomas Vokoun kept Tampa Bay from opening more than a 2-0 lead.

Stamkos, with his parents in attendance, scored his fourth goal of the year (and his first since Nov. 29) on a wrist shot just in front of the net to put the Lightning up 1-0. Defenseman Matt Smaby, called up from Norfolk on an emergency basis, set up the score with a slap shot that was blocked.

Evgeny Artyukhin, a force with six hits and a goal in Friday's victory over the Panthers, made it 2-0 with 6:57 left in the opening period when he redirected a shot from Mark Recchi during a 5-on-3 power play. The big Russian has scored on consecutive nights after scoring only once previously this season.

After Lecavalier followed his own shot with a goal to put Tampa Bay up 3-1 early in the second, the Panthers got consecutive power-play goals from Nathan Horton and David Booth to tie the game at 3 with 3:07 left in the second.

This is where the Lightning often have folded this season. On Saturday, Lecavalier, Malone and St. Louis all rang true on scoring chances, and the Lightning blew open the game, 6-3.

"Right now, we're a desperate team," Malone said. "We need those two points every night, and we've got to make sure we lay it on the line here to get back into it. Tonight was a great job by everyone, top to bottom."

The Lightning outshot the Panthers 42-29 despite playing with a one- or two-man disadvantage for 13:37.

Booth had two goals and an assist, and Horton scored his first goal in 11 games for the Panthers. Stephen Weiss had Florida's other goal.

"I like the energy," Tocchet said of his team's improved play. "We're still making some mistakes - still taking some penalties we shouldn't be taking and letting teams back in. When you're behind the bench, you wish guys would have that mentality to put teams away."

Saturday, the Lightning did just that.

Reporter Tony Fabrizio can be reached at (813) 259-7994.

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