Niittymaki on top of game despite layoff

Although Antero Niittymaki hadn't seen live action in two weeks, the Lightning netminder showed no rust in his first start since Oct. 14.

With the schedule spread out and Tampa Bay playing four games in a two-week stretch at home, Niittymaki watched Mike Smith play the first three games of the homestand, with the Lightning going 2-0-1.

But it was Niittymaki's play Saturday that ensured the Lightning would keep their stretch of seven games at home without a regulation loss intact after he stopped 37 shots, including three of four in the shootout, in a 2-1 shootout loss to New Jersey.

"Niittymaki was incredible tonight," Lightning coach Rick Tocchet said.

Although the Lightning were being outshot 28-9 through two periods, Tampa Bay trailed by only a goal thanks to some good glove work by its goaltender. Niittymaki made a nifty glove save on Cory Murphy up close at the 4:02 mark of the first period and robbed Ilkka Pikkarainen on a 2-on-1 break and Dainius Zubrus at the 6:53 mark.

Later in the first, Niittymaki stopped Jamie Langenbrunner on a short-handed breakaway, and to prove it was no fluke, stopped Langenbrunner again after he was awarded a penalty shot on the initial shot, keeping Niittymaki a perfect 4-for-4 in his career on penalty shots.

He stopped Zach Parise, Travis Zajac and Langenbrunner in the shootout before David Clarkson finally put one by him to give New Jersey the victory.

"It felt like forever since the last game," Niittymaki said of the time between starts. "The schedule has been really light, so it felt like awhile, but I felt pretty good out there and the practice helps. And if you are feeling good there, you know everything should be OK."

Streaking milestone

Tampa Bay RW Marty St. Louis tied a franchise record Saturday, picking up an assist in his 10th consecutive game, a mark he shares with C Brad Richards, who set the mark from March 14-April 8, 2006. St. Louis also assisted in 10 consecutive games from Dec. 30, 2006-Jan. 16, 2007.

In addition, St. Louis also upped his scoring streak to 11 games, having notched at least a point in every game this season, the longest streak in the league. His assist on Steven Stamkos' goal in the third period also marked St. Louis' 600th career point.

Stamkos, meanwhile, increased his scoring streak to seven games to set a career high. Stamkos has eight goals and 11 points during his scoring streak, which includes five consecutive games with a goal.

Unplugged

The next round of the Lightning's "Unplugged" series, St. Louis and Niittymaki, will be held Nov. 10 in Center Court of the Shops at Wiregrass in Wesley Chapel from 6 to 8 p.m.

Hosted by former Lightning LW Chris Dingman, the "Unplugged" series features an open question-and-answer session with players as well as giveaways and ticket deals.

Watch parties

The team is hosting watch parties at four local Beef O' Brady's locations for Tuesday's game in Toronto, which is not being carried by Sun Sports. Each location will feature a different Lightning personality in attendance, kids eat free specials and free chips and salsa for all tables wearing Lightning jerseys or T-shirts.

Team founder Phil Esposito will be at 2819 S. MacDill Ave., Dave Andreychuk will host the party at 15784 N. Dale Mabry, Brian Bradley will be at 210 S. Kings Ave. in Brandon, while ThunderBug will be in Odessa at 8568 Gunn Hwy.

Nuts and bolts

Tampa Bay scratched D Matt Smaby, D Paul Ranger and D Lukas Krajicek. ... Murphy, a former Lightning defenseman who was a healthy scratch when the teams met Oct. 10, played against his former team for the first time. ... The three shots on goal in the first period by Tampa Bay were a season low in a period. ... The Lightning will practice at 11:30 a.m. today at the Ice Sports Forum in Brandon. ... Tampa Bay has killed 10 consecutive power-play chances in the past three games.

Erik Erlendsson