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Blackhawks try to bounce back in Tampa

Mar 9, 2011 - 4:23 PM (Sports Network) - The Chicago Blackhawks will try bounce back after having a lengthy winning streak snapped when they visit the sliding Tampa Bay Lightning tonight at St. Pete Times Forum.

The Blackhawks had won eight in a row before losing a 3-2 decision to the Florida Panthers on Tuesday. Despite the loss, Chicago is still fourth in the Western Conference standings, although the Blackhawks are just one point in front of three teams tied for the West's fifth seed.

Florida scored three times in the first period and Tomas Vokoun 37 saves to make that lead stand up for the win at BankAtlantic Center. Patrick Kane and Marian Hossa potted goals for the Blackhawks, who were denied in their attempt to tie a club record with a ninth straight win.

Corey Crawford yielded three goals on eight shots in the first period and was relieved by Marty Turco, who denied the seven shots he encountered. It was Turco's first appearance in a game since Feb. 11.

"It was our worst period of the season and we knew it when we came in the dressing room," Hossa said of the opening period. "We got a good lesson about having to play all 60 minutes. We had a lot of chances to win the game but because we didn't start well, we weren't able to get it done."

Chicago is playing the third test of a four-game road trip that is set to end Sunday in Washington. The Blackhawks had won four straight as the guest prior to Tuesday's setback and are 16-10-6 on the road this season.

The Lightning, meanwhile, have lost four straight games and the slide has cost Guy Boucher's club its first-place status in the Southeast Division.

Tampa Bay's most recent setback was Monday's shootout loss to Washington and the Bolts now find themselves two points behind the Capitals for the Southeast's top spot. The Caps are also playing at home tonight against the Edmonton Oilers.

Alex Ovechkin scored the lone goal in the shootout to lift the Caps to a 2-1 decision in Tampa on Monday. Ovechkin wrapped up the opening round of the shootout by roofing a shot over Tampa Bay's Dwayne Roloson.

Washington goaltender Braden Holtby would make Ovechkin's shootout tally count as he turned away the Lightning's trio of Dominic Moore, Adam Hall and Vincent Lecavalier.

Roloson stopped 29 shots for the Lightning and Sean Bergenheim scored Tampa's lone goal at 12:30 of the first period.

"We came out real strong and did what we needed to do to win. Again, it doesn't turn our way," said Boucher.

The Lightning will likely be without Randy Jones tonight, as the defenseman suffered a lower body injury in Monday's loss. Tampa forward Steve Downie (lower body) and defenseman Marc-Andre Bergeron (back) are both questionable for this evening after sitting out the last two games.

The Bolts have lost two straight and five of seven on home ice and are playing the third test of a four-game homestand this evening. Tampa Bay has a solid 21-8-5 record as the host on the season.

Chicago slammed the visiting Lightning, 4-0, in the only meeting between the clubs last season and the Blackhawks have taken three straight in this series. The Hawks have also claimed two victories in their last three trips to Tampa.