The Tampa Bay Lightning have had more success against the Atlanta Thrashers over the past ten years then they have against any other opponent, winning nine straight games. They were hoping to extend that run to double digits when they took to the Phillips arena ice Thursday night. They were also hoping to keep pace in the Southeast Division with the Washington Capitals, who were in action on Long Island. They accomplished both when they defeated the Thrashers 3-2 in a shootout.
Atlanta came out of the gate with a lot of intensity and ended up getting rewarded with the first goal. Freddy Meyer took a shot from the point that Dwayne Roloson stopped, the puck re-directed right to Niclas Bergfors, who beat Roloson from the high slot. For Bergfors, the goal at 5:26 was his 10th of the season to give Atlanta a 1-0 lead. The Lightning would answer back though, when Brett Clark took a shot from the point that deflected off of Victor Hedman, and then Steven Stamkos before crossing the goal line. The goal at the 17:13 was Stamkos' 36th goal of the year.
This article appears in Jan 20-26, 2011.