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Ellis earns shutout as Lightning blank Leafs

Nov 10, 2010 - 7:03 AM Tampa, FL (Sports Network) - Dan Ellis made 28 saves to record his second shutout of the season, as the Tampa Bay Lightning handled the struggling Toronto Maple Leafs, 4-0, from St. Pete Times Forum.

Steven Stamkos scored twice for the Lightning, who snapped a three-game skid. Nate Thompson and Dominic Moore also lit the lamp.

Jean-Sebastien Giguere turned aside 21-of-25 shots for the Maple Leafs, who have lost six in a row for the first time since dropping six straight from January 19-30.

Tampa Bay scored the only goal they would need at the 11:10 mark of the first period. Martin St. Louis controlled the puck at the point with the Lightning on the power play. He then slid a pass to the left circle for Stamkos, whose one-timer beat Giguere.

Thompson tallied just 29 seconds later to make it 2-0. Mike Lundin's shot from the right point set up a rebound in front for Thompson, who chipped the puck into the net.

Tampa Bay scored with 47 seconds left to build a 3-0 lead. Randy Jones' shot from the top of the right circle was deflected into the net by Moore.

Ellis made nine saves in the first period.

"It was a great start to set the tone for the game," Stamkos said. "I thought the first period was one of the best we played all year."

A scoreless second stanza featured seven saves from Giguere and 13 from Ellis.

Stamkos' backhander on a rebound at the 5:46 mark of the third accounted for the final margin.

Ellis stopped six shots in the third to seal the victory and the 12th shutout of his career.

"I think it was obvious we weren't ready to start," Giguere said. "As a group we weren't ready to compete and do what we needed to do to win the game."

Game Notes

This was the first of four meetings between the teams this season. These two clubs split four games last year, but the Lightning have won seven of the last 10 meetings overall. That includes a win in five of the last seven played in Tampa Bay...Moore had missed the last five games with a groin injury. Lightning defenseman Matt Smaby returned to the lineup after missing four games with an ankle injury, while forward Steve Downie (back) missed the contest...Toronto has lost nine of 10 since a 4-0 start to the season.