In a game where the Tampa Bay Lightning made the most of their opportunities, the Bolts were able to beat the Panthers from Sunrise 3-2 on Tuesday.  Anders Lindback made 37 saves in the win.  The Bolts were outshot 39-13 on the night.

Lightning got off to a flying start just 1:36 into the first period.  Vinny LeCavlier took a no-look pass from Martin St. Louis and beat Jacob Markstrom to give the Bolts an early 1-0 lead.  It was LeCavalier’s 7^th goal of the season.  Anders Lindback was superb in the opening period with 17 saves.  Tampa Bay killed off three power play opportunities by the Panthers in the first period.  Late in the first, the Bolts scored again when Martin St. Louis beat Markstrom for a 2-0 lead.  The Bolts were outshot 17-3 in the first period and scored on two of those shots.

The second period got off to a bad start for the Lightning.  A mix-up behind the net led to a goal by Kris Versteeg to get the Panthers on the board.  It was 2-1 Tampa Bay at that point.  The Bolts were constantly on the defensive in the second period.  Florida tied the game at 2-2 on a goal by Tomas Kopecky about midway through the second period.  Panthers outshot the Lightning 13-3 in the second period and had a 30-6 shot advantage through two periods.

About five minutes into the 3^rd period, Steven Stamkos had a breakaway opportunity but was stopped by Markstrom.  On that play, Stamkos was tripped and a penalty was called on Erick Gudbranson.  The Lightning would cash in on the power play as Stamkos scored to make it 3-2 Lightning.  It was the league-leading 20^th goal of the season for Stammer, which ended up being the game-winner.  Lindback had several terrific saves down the stretch to ice it for Tampa Bay.