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Lightning look to stop slide against Panthers

Nov 7, 2007 - 2:17 PM Florida (7-8-0) at Tampa Bay (5-8-1) 7:30 pm EST

TAMPA, Florida (Ticker) -- The Tampa Bay Lightning hope to avoid a seven-game losing streak when they host the Florida Panthers on Wednesday in a battle of Southeast Division foes.

The Lightning were handed their sixth consecutive loss on Tuesday to their in-state rival. David Booth redirected Ruslan Salei's slap shot with less than two minutes remaining as the Panthers downed the Lightning, 4-3.

At 18:41 of the third period and the game deadlocked at 3-3, Florida center Olli Jokinen worked the puck from the left side over to Salei, who launched a slapper from the right faceoff circle that Booth was able to redirect past Tampa Bay goaltender Johan Holmqvist for the go-ahead goal.

The contest was marred by a violent play at 14:04 of the second period, when Lightning center Nick Tarnasky slammed Panthers defenseman Mike Van Ryn into the boards. While most of the attention centered on Van Ryn, who was visibly shaken on the play, Tarnasky met up with the other Florida defenseman Bryan Allen, who was rushing to Van Ryn's side.

Tarnasky spotted Allen and both players skated around each other. A linesman attempted to break them up, but restricted Allen more than he did Tarnasky, leaving the door open for the Lightning center to strike a defenseless Allen.

Both Van Ryn and Allen left the ice slowly under their own power, but only the former returned. Tarnasky was given a five-minute major for fighting and 10-minute penalty for game misconduct, ending his night.

The clubs have met three times already this season, with Florida winning two. The Panthers have also enjoyed some recent success, winning three of their previous four contests and moving into second of the division standings.

Tampa Bay has been led by reigning Maurice Richard Trophy winner Vincent Lecavalier, who has seven goals and a team-high 18 points. Lecavalier scored an NHL-best 52 goals last season.