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Bolts hand toothless Panthers 10th straight loss

Apr 9, 2011 - 3:27 AM Tampa, FL (Sports Network) - Vincent Lecavalier scored two goals, Dwayne Roloson made 23 saves and the Tampa Bay Lightning doubled up the Florida Panthers, 4-2, at St. Pete Times Forum.

Ryan Malone registered a goal and an assist for Tampa Bay, which has won six of its last seven games. The Lightning will enter the playoffs as the fifth seed in the Eastern Conference.

"It's all about trying to get momentum (heading into) the playoffs," Lecavalier said.

Mike Santorelli and Jason Garrison lit the lamp for the Panthers, who were dealt their 10th straight loss. Scott Clemmensen was beaten four times on 33 shots in defeat.

"We took too many bad penalties," Santorelli said.

Lecavalier put Tampa Bay on the board at 4:08 of the first period, beating Clemmensen from in close on a power play. Garrison tied it just under eight minutes later on a slap shot, but the Lightning moved ahead on a friendly carom.

Clemmensen flicked his stick at a loose puck and it wound up bouncing in off the shin pad of Florida forward Shawn Matthias with 3:52 left in the opening period. Malone was credited with the goal.

Lecavalier scored on a penalty shot 1:27 into the second period, and Pavel Kubina, playing in his 900th NHL game, netted a power-play goal to give Tampa Bay a 4-1 lead with 4:54 remaining.

Santorelli provided the lone goal in the third period.

Game Notes

Tampa Bay and Florida both wrap up the regular season on Saturday. The Lightning visit Carolina, while the Panthers host Washington...Tampa Bay finished with a 25-11-5 home record in 2010-11.