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Stamkos scores 20th goal as Lightning down Bruins

Nov 23, 2010 - 4:20 AM Tampa, FL (Sports Network) - Steven Stamkos became the first 20-goal scorer of the 2010-11 NHL season, and the Tampa Bay Lightning scored three times in the second period to post a 3-1 victory over the Boston Bruins.

Stamkos has five more goals than the next highest goal-scorer in the league in only 21 games for the Lightning, who have won a season-high four straight. Teddy Purcell and Dana Tyrell also scored, and Mike Smith made 26 stops in the victory.

"We played solid, we got the three-goal lead," Stamkos said. "We need to find a way to keep pressuring them in the third, play with a lead. We kind of let up a bit, but it was a great game for us, and we have to keep it going."

Michael Ryder scored the lone goal for the Bruins, who have lost two straight following a three-game win streak. Tuukka Rash was beaten three times on 36 shots in defeat.

"We weren't making very good decisions, turning the puck over, not getting pucks in deep," said Bruins head coach Claude Julien. "We have to start playing a little more desperate from the get-go."

After a scoreless first period, Tampa Bay struck three times in the second.

Tyrell notched the first goal at 3:26 on a deflection from out in front off Randy Jones' slapshot.

Stamkos extended his league lead with his 20th tally less than two minutes later, and Purcell provided a 3-0 cushion with his fourth of the season at 11:36.

Ryder scored with 9:22 to play in the third, but Boston didn't beat Smith again despite putting 12 shots on net in the final 20 minutes.

Game Notes

Boston came into the game 7-1-0 on the road...These two teams came into the game second and third in the league in penalty kill percentage; both clubs combined to go 0-for-5 on the power play...Stamkos has a point in 18 of his 21 games this season.