Lightning 6, Panthers 3
Martin St. Louis celebrated his 900th NHL game with his fifth career hat trick and Vincent Lecavalier added a goal and three assists as the Tampa Bay Lightning posted a 6-3 win over the visiting Florida Panthers on Saturday.
St. Louis scored two of the Lightning’s four goals in the second period, extending his season-high point streak to nine games. He finished the hat trick on an empty-netter with 20.8 seconds left.
Lecavalier’s goal 1:42 into the second lifted Tampa Bay into the lead for good at 2-1, giving him at least 20 for the 12th straight season.
Steven Stamkos added a goal and an assist and Ryan Shannon had two helpers for the Lightning, who improved to 6-0-1 in their last seven games and won their fourth straight against Florida.
The Lightning finished the season 4-1-1 against their fellow Sunshine State representative.
Florida starter Scott Clemmensen was pulled after St. Louis knocked home a Lecavalier pass at 15:08 of the second to make it 5-2.
Making his NHL debut, Brian Foster came on to finish the period but Clemmensen returned for the third.
Former Lightning forward Sean Bergenheim had a goal and an assist for the Panthers, who still lead the Southeast Division by a point over Washington. Nate Thompson recorded his third goal in four games for Tampa Bay.