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Tampa Bay tops Rangers on Thompson's goal in OT

Jan 2, 2011 - 4:28 AM Tampa, FL (Sports Network) - Nate Thompson scored 19 seconds into overtime as the Tampa Bay Lightning took a 2-1 win over the New York Rangers at St. Pete Times Forum.

In the extra session, Dana Tyrell caught up to the puck in the deep left corner and threw it out front. The disc was slowed down by a sliding New York defender, but it had enough on it to get to the right side where Thompson slammed it home for the win.

"It was an exciting feeling," said Tyrell on the goal. "He's set up my goals this year and I was lucky enough to set him up for once. It kind of squeaked through the defenseman and he was able to get it in."

Tyrell scored in the first period off an assist from Thompson for the Lightning, winners in four of their last five games.

Cedrick Desjardins, who made 27 saves in a 4-1 win over Montreal on Thursday in his NHL debut, stopped 34 shots to earn the victory.

"I was in the zone and once we start the game I just go with it," said Desjardins. "The team did a real good job in letting me see the puck and getting any rebounds out of the way."

Henrik Lundqvist stopped 31-of-33 shots to take the tough-luck loss for the Rangers, who had won their previous two coming into the contest.

New York pulled Lundqvist late in the game for the extra attacker and was able to tie it as Dan Girardi sent a pass from the right boards to the front where a wide open Marian Gaborik wristed it between the pads of Desjardins with 46 seconds left in regulation.

"It was a big point to get," said New York head coach John Tortorella. "We stayed with it and were able to stay patient and tie it up. But this is going to get tougher and tougher as the season moves on."

Tyrell scored with 6:57 left in the first to give Tampa the lead. He skated with the puck down the right wing and tried to stickhandle across the goalmouth, but lost control of the puck. However, it still fooled Lundqvist and slid into the net for a 1-0 lead.

Desjardins stopped seven shots in the first period then turned aside 13 in the middle stanza. Lundqvist kept pace in the second by stopping all 15 shots he faced to keep it a one-goal game.

Game Notes

The Rangers play in Florida on Sunday...Tampa plays in Washington on Tuesday...The Lightning have taken all three matchups with the Rangers this season...Lightning forward Steven Stamkos had a four-game goal scoring streak snapped...After the game, the Lightning acquired goaltender Dwayne Roloson from the New York Islanders in exchange for defenseman Ty Wishart.