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Stamkos scores as Lightning top Rangers

Sep 24, 2008 - 2:22 AM TAMPA, Florida (Ticker) -- It took three games, but Steven Stamkos finally got his name on an NHL scoresheet.

The first overall pick of this past June's draft, Stamkos scored for the first time this preseason as the Tampa Bay Lightning skated to a 3-2 victory over the New York Rangers on Tuesday.

After failing to record a point in his first two exhibition games, the 18-year-old Stamkos gave Tampa Bay a 2-0 lead seven minutes into the second period, putting a wrist shot from the bottom of the left faceoff circle past goaltender Miika Wiikman and under the crossbar during a power play.

Martin St. Louis made it a three-goal bulge three minutes later, burying a shot from the slot during another man advantage.

New York attempted to stage a comeback as defenseman Daniel Girardi netted a power-play goal with 24 seconds remaining in the middle period and Fredrik Sjostrom cashed in with the extra skater with just under three minutes to go in the third. But Mike Smith prevented the Rangers from getting the equalizer as he finished with 38 saves, including 10 in the final session.

Ryan Craig also scored and Jussi Jokinen collected an assist for his fourth point of the preseason for the Lightning, who were outshot, 11-2, in the third period.

Wiikman allowed three goals on 14 shots before being replaced by Stephen Valiquette, who turned aside all four shots he faced.