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Boyle's hat trick leads Lightning comeback

Dec 24, 2006 - 5:43 AM TAMPA, Florida (Ticker) -- Defenseman Dan Boyle unexpectedly led a stunning comeback by the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Boyle recorded his first career hat trick and added an assist - all in the third period - to lead the Lightning to a 4-3 come-from-behind victory over the New York Rangers.

The eighth-year defenseman tallied the go-ahead goal on a breakaway wrist shot between the pads of goaltender Henrik Lundqvist with 8:57 to play, capping a four-goal rally in the final session.

"I gotta tell you the hat trick feels sweet," Boyle said. "But coming back like we did and not quitting is even better."

Vincent Lecavalier tied the contest, 3-3, as he rifled a slap shot over Lundqvist's shoulder at the 5:56 mark of the final session.

"It was a big night for us," Lecavalier said. "Anytime you can comeback like that, it's huge."

The Rangers looked strong in the first two periods. Martin Straka, Blair Betts and Aaron Ward netted goals for New York to build a 3-0 advantage heading into the final session. "It's definitely disappointing," Straka said. "You want to put a team away when you have the opportunity and we haven't been able to do that."

Lightning coach John Tortorella replaced goaltender Marc Denis with Johan Holmqvist to start the third period.

Denis made 13 saves and Holmqvist stopped all 12 shots he faced for Tampa Bay, which was 2-for-6 on the power play.

"I thought (Holmqvist) was outstanding," Tortorella said. "His whole demeanor in the net was so strong."

Boyle started the Lightning's comeback with a power-play goal 62 seconds into the final session. His second tally came just 1:27 later to bring Tampa Bay within 3-2.

"This team just has shown a lot of resolve and knows how to win games no matter when and where we are in the game," Boyle said. "We've proven our determination all season and shown how much we can overcome."

Lundqvist made 22 saves for New York, which was 1-for-4 with the extra skater.

"I am upset even though there were a couple of deflections on those goals," Lundqvist said. "The last goal, I have to take care of and didn't."