Lightning 4, Hurricanes 2
Simon Gagne scored twice, including an empty-net goal with 48.4 seconds left, as the visiting Tampa Bay Lightning defeated the Carolina Hurricanes 4-2 Saturday night.
Mike Smith made 33 saves to gain his first victory since Dec. 18 for the Lightning (40-24-11), who snapped a four-game losing streak. Gagne has four goals in two games.
Dominic Moore’s power-play goal gave the Lightning a 3-2 lead with 2:07 left in the second period. Martin St. Louis had a goal and an assist and Vincent Lecavalier two assists for Tampa Bay, which has gotten at least a point in five straight road games.
Eric Staal and Erik Cole scored for Carolina (35-30-10), which had a three-game win streak snapped and fell five points behind Buffalo for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
Cory Stillman added two assists for the Hurricanes, who won in Tampa Bay Friday.
After the teams each scored twice in the first period, Moore's goal came when he battled in front to knock home the rebound of Lecavalier's shot.
Smith, who has been injured and sent to the minor leagues for a period of time, made 12 saves in the second and 13 in the third.