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Lightning begin epic homestand versus Thrashers

Jan 23, 2011 - 3:31 PM (Sports Network) - The Lightning won't play on the road again until the end of February. Their epic homestand is likely to get off to a good start with the Thrashers set to visit St. Pete Times Forum.

Tampa Bay aims for its 11th straight victory over Atlanta as it kicks off a 12-game homestand this evening that runs through Feb. 25. The Lightning haven't lost to the Thrashers since Oct. 3, 2009 and have won five straight as the host in this series.

The most recent meeting between these clubs took place on Thursday, a 3-2 Lightning shootout victory in Atlanta. It marked the third straight game between Tampa and Atlanta that went past regulation and fifth over the Lightning's current 10-game series winning streak.

Lightning forward Steven Stamkos continued his career-long assault versus the Thrashers, netting a pair of goals to give him eight tallies and three assists in the five meetings this season. His 25 career points (15 goals, 10 assists) in 17 games versus Atlanta are the most by far against any one club.

"It's just something that has worked out throughout my career so far, getting goals and points against these guys," said Stamkos. "We play them a lot so we're familiar with them, but we have two totally different teams this year then in the past."

Dominic Moore had the shootout winner on Thursday, a feat he accomplished again the following night in Florida. He had the lone goal of the tiebreaker in a 2-1 victory, the Lightning's third straight shootout win, a tally that was confirmed by video replay to see if he actually put it in off a rebound.

"We always find different ways to make it happen," said Tampa Bay head coach Guy Boucher.

Stamkos set up Steve Downie's regulation goal, giving him six tallies and three assists over a five-game point streak. Stamkos leads the NHL with 37 goals and moved into a tie with injured Penguins center Sidney Crosby for the most points in the league with 66.

Dan Ellis made 29 saves for his first win since Dec. 26.

The Lightning lead the Capitals by a point for first place in the Southeast Division and have won eight of their last 10 at home, where they are 14-4-2 this season.

The Thrashers were in action on Saturday, when they dropped a 3-2 shootout decision to the New York Rangers. It marked the third straight game for Atlanta that went to a shootout as well and it has lost the last two.

Nik Antropov and Anthony Stewart scored in regulation for the Thrashers, who are 1-3-3 in their last seven and hold just a three-point edge over the Hurricanes for the eighth spot in the Eastern Conference.

"We need to win, there's no doubt about it," Atlanta head coach Craig Ramsay said. "We have to be willing to pay the price in the third period to win games. Everybody has to be involved and we have to find a way to win."

Ondrej Pavelec stopped 29 shots in the loss.