Lightning 4, Panthers 2
Captain Vincent Lecavalier scored twice and Ryan Malone recorded a goal and an assist as the Tampa Bay Lightning posted a 4-2 triumph over the Florida Panthers in their regular-season home finale on Friday.
Defenseman Pavel Kubina also tallied, All-Star Martin St. Louis extended his point streak to eight games with an assist and Dwayne Roloson made 23 saves for the Lightning, who have won six of their last seven contests.
Mike Santorelli had a goal and an assist, defenseman Jason Garrison also scored and Scott Clemmensen stopped 29 shots for Florida, which has lost 10 consecutive games overall and nine straight on the road. The Panthers have scored two goals or less in each of their last nine contests.
Lecavalier converted a pass from St. Louis during a power play 4:08 into the contest to open the scoring and extend his goal-scoring streak to three games. Malone snapped a 1-1 tie with 3:52 remaining in the first period and Lecavalier beat Clemmensen on a penalty shot 87 seconds into the second to complete his third two-goal effort of the season.
Kubina gave Tampa Bay a 4-1 lead with just under five minutes to go in the second, ripping a shot past Clemmensen from the right faceoff circle during a power play.