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Lightning aim to get Stamkos on track in battle with Avalanche

Dec 4, 2010 - 3:46 PM (Sports Network) - It isn't a coincidence that the Lightning have struggled to pick up wins during Steven Stamkos' longest goal-scoring drought of the season.

Looking to find the back of the net for the first time in five games, Stamkos will also try to lead Tampa Bay to its first victory over the Colorado Avalanche since 2004 this evening at St. Pete Times Forum.

Tied with Pittsburgh's Sidney Crosby for the league lead in goals with 21, Stamkos had been held without a goal in back-to-back games just once this year prior to his current four-game drought. He was also held without a point for just the fifth time in 26 games this season in Thursday's 8-1 setback in Boston, Tampa Bay's largest margin of defeat this season.

Defenseman Victor Hedman had the Lighting's lone goal as the club lost for the third time in four contests following a five-game win streak. Starter Mike Smith gave up five goals in just over 40 minutes of action before being pulled in favor of Dan Ellis, who allowed three tallies on 10 shots faced.

"It's embarrassing to get beat like we did tonight and it stinks," Smith said. "We have some work to do. I think it starts with the goaltending out and we have to hold the fort."

Forward Steve Downie was hit in the ankle by a puck during the Bruins game and is out indefinitely.

It is unknown who will start in net tonight, but both Smith and Ellis have solid career numbers versus Colorado. Smith is 3-1-1 with a 1.70 goals-against average in five games, including two starts, while Ellis is 2-1-0 with a 1.01 GAA in three starts.

Stamkos has a goal and one assist in four career games versus the Avalanche, who have won six straight versus the Lightning and four in a row in Tampa. The Lightning haven't beaten Colorado since March 1, 2004 and not at home since March 7 the previous year.

Colorado kicked off a five-game tour of the Southeast Division last night with a 2-1 loss in Carolina, the club's fourth in its last five road games.

Milan Hejduk scored for the Avalanche and Craig Anderson made 28 saves in his first start since Nov. 24 because of a groin ailment. Kevin Shattenkirk notched an assist to set a club rookie record by a defenseman with a point in his eighth straight game.

"It was one of those games where whoever got the next break seemed like that was going to be the way the game ended. And they got it," said Colorado head coach Joe Sacco.

Colorado has lost four of its last five overall, but does have a point in three straight games (1-0-2).

Separate injuries this year have limited Anderson to just three starts since Oct. 23 and it is unknown if he will go in back-to-back tests. Anderson is 3-1-2 with a 1.36 GAA in his career versus the Lightning, while backup Peter Budaj has won his only career meeting with them, stopping 26 shots.