Lightning 7, Senators 3
SENATORS 7, LIGHTNING 3: Milan Michalek had three goals and an assist as visiting Ottawa snapped Tampa Bay’s four-game winning streak.
Michalek scored two empty-net goals late to complete his second career hat trick - both against the Lightning - and help the Senators snap a two-game slide.
Michalek became the third player in NHL history to record a hat trick aided by two empty-netters (Mario Lemieux, Marcel Dionne).
Lightning goaltender Mathieu Garon was injured while making a save early in the first period and was forced to leave with a lower-body injury.
Dwayne Roloson came on in relief and the Senators jumped out to an early 3-0 lead on goals from Sergei Gonchar, Colin Greening and Kyle Turris.
After the Lightning cut the lead to 3-2 courtesy of goals from former Senator Ryan Shannon and Tim Wallace, Erik Karlsson converted on the power play for Ottawa to make it 4-2 late in the second period.
Steven Stamkos netted his league-leading 48th goal in the third period to pull Tampa within a goal before Michalek responded with his 30th goal of the season to restore the two-goal lead.
Ben Bishop made 25 saves to earn the victory in his Senators debut.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Karlsson leads NHL defensemen with 67 points. ... It is Michalek's first 30-goal season. ... Senators goaltender Craig Anderson remains out indefinitely after lacerating his pinky finger with a knife last month. … Ottawa defenseman Chris Phillips broke his nose after taking a hit in the first period. … Garon had won six of his last seven starts. ... Tampa Bay's Teddy Purcell extended his career-high points streak to 10 games.