Stamkos, Malone hurt in Bolts' loss to Edmonton

The Lightning's lack of offensive balance may be about to face the ultimate test.

On the brink of their longest road trip of the season, Tampa Bay dropped a 3-2 decision to the streaking Edmonton Oilers on Wednesday night and may have lost their top two goal scorers in the process.

Forwards Ryan Malone (lower body) and Steven Stamkos (upper body) each suffered injuries for the Lightning, who have won only once in the past seven games, scoring 12 goals in that span.

Stamkos and Malone, who have combined for 33 of Tampa Bay's 75 goals this season, will be evaluated today.

"Teams go through injuries - it's our turn," Lightning coach Rick Tocchet said. "Suck it up. Some guys may get an opportunity. It's a situation where we all have to stay together."

It was a chippy matchup between the Oilers and the Lightning, who leave today for a six-game trek in 12 days, encompassing three time zones.

Marty St. Louis and rookie defenseman Victor Hedman scored for the Lightning, who fired 15 shots at Jeff Deslauriers in a frantic third-period effort that fell short.

"I thought we played hard, but we lost some key bodies tonight," St. Louis said. "I thought we kept up our intensity pretty good. It's disappointing because we felt we played them pretty hard. We've just got to get one win."

The Lightning couldn't have asked for a more dynamic start against the Oilers, who have won four consecutive road games for the first time in four years.

It took just 68 seconds to produce a 1-0 lead on one of the prettiest passing plays of the season.

Malone's breakout pass triggered an odd-man rush and Vinny Lecavalier drew defenseman Sheldon Souray toward the left circle before centering a pass to St. Louis, who lifted a one-timer over the left shoulder of Deslauriers.

It was the first goal for St. Louis since Nov. 21, a span of nine games.

That advantage lasted 10 minutes before Tom Gilbert scored for Edmonton off a rebound.

The Oilers outshot the Lightning 13-9 in the second period and grabbed a 3-2 lead.

Edmonton's leading scorer, Dustin Penner, took up residence near the left post and converted a pass from Sam Gagner to snap a 1-1 tie at 6:31.

Hedman forged another deadlock a minute later with his second goal in three games before Oilers enforcer Zack Stortini emerged from a scrum behind the Lightning net and beat Smith from point-blank range for what turned out to be the game-winner midway through the period.

"We got off to a good start," Lecavalier said, "and I thought everybody played hard. We've got to get some points and build some confidence. December's an important month and we've got to get going and get some points. It's a tough league and the conference is so tight."