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Thrashers seek revenge for earlier rout by Lightning

Dec 26, 2006 - 3:15 PM Tampa Bay (17-17-2) at Atlanta (21-10-6) 7:00 pm EST

ATLANTA (Ticker) -- Marian Hossa and the Atlanta Thrashers do not need the Tampa Bay Lightning finding their stride.

Hossa and the Southeast Division-leading Thrashers look to slow down the Lightning when the two clubs pit winning streaks against each other Tuesday.

Leading the Southeast by six points over the defending champion Carolina Hurricanes and 12 over Tampa Bay, Atlanta has won its last three games, including a 5-2 victory over the New Jersey Devils on Saturday.

The NHL's third-leading scorer and leader in goals, Hossa had two assists in the win and has six points, including two tallies, during the winning streak.

However, the Thrashers have dropped their last three games against division opponents, including an embarrassing 8-0 rout at the hand of the Lightning on December 7. Goaltender Kari Lehtonen gave up five goals on 30 shots for one of his seven regulation losses in 30 appearances.

If Atlanta wants a chance to claim its first Southeast title, it will have to figure out how to beat Tampa Bay. The Thrashers have lost each of the last three meetings and four of five this season.

Looking to get back in the race in the division, the Lightning have won their last three games, including a 4-3 home win over the New York Rangers on Saturday.

Defenseman Dan Boyle notched his first career hat trick and assisted on the other goal to lead the charge for the Lightning, who rallied from a 3-0 deficit.

Tampa Bay captain Vincent Lecavalier has a goal in each of the three wins and has 21 points in the previous 12 games.