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Flyers hope to halt two long droughts against Lightning

Dec 28, 2006 - 3:11 PM Philadelphia (8-24-4) at Tampa Bay (17-18-2) 7:30 pm EST

TAMPA, Florida (Ticker) -- Not even the return of captain Peter Forsberg could alter the recent misfortunes of the Philadelphia Flyers.

The 2003 Hart Trophy winner, Forsberg again tries to provide a spark for the woeful Flyers, who attempt to end a 10-game losing streak Thursday when they visit the Tampa Bay Lightning.

After sitting out three games with a concussion, which raised his season total of games missed to 12, Forsberg made a couple of nice setup passes to teammates, who could not convert them into goals against the Florida Panthers.

Kyle Calder netted his third goal of the season in the second period for Philadelphia in Wednesday's 3-1 loss to the Panthers. Goaltender Antero Niittymaki suffered a strained hip and likely will not be available Thursday.

The Flyers have dropped the last 10 meetings against Tampa Bay since April 4, 2003.

The Lightning won three straight games prior to the holiday break before Tuesday's 2-1 loss to the Atlanta Thrashers.

Martin St. Louis, the 2004 Art Ross Trophy winner, scored his seventh goal in his last seven games and 24th of the season - shorthanded - in the first period.