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Lecavalier, St. Louis lift Lightning

Dec 7, 2007 - 4:34 AM TAMPA, Florida (Ticker) -- Power-play success was the name of the game for the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Vincent Lecavalier and Martin St. Louis each scored a power-play goal and set up another as the Lightning edged the Carolina Hurricanes, 2-1, on Thursday night for their third consecutive win.

Johan Holmqvist made 23 saves for the Lightning, coming within 14 seconds of his second career shutout.

"You're definitely disappointed he didn't get the shutout," St. Louis said. "You try and battle for your goalie, but you know what, a win is a win and he played tremendous regardless of whether that (goal) goes in or not."

Tampa Bay's victory over Carolina came two days after a triumph against the Eastern Conference-leading Ottawa Senators. Both wins came at home, where Tampa Bay owns the league's second-best record at 11-4-3.

With four minutes remaining in the second period, Lecavalier blasted a one-timer from the right faceoff circle that sailed past goaltender Cam Ward's left shoulder. It was the 19th goal of the season for Lecavalier, who won the Maurice Richard Trophy last campaign.

With 7:15 remaining in the third period, St. Louis unleashed a shot from the high slot that beat Ward to the stick side. Lecavalier's assist on the play was his league-leading 44th point.

Hurricanes coach Peter Laviolette noted neither team could generate much at even strength, especially his own.

"With 5-on-5, nothing was crisp out there," said Laviolette, whose club also went 0-for-5 with the man advantage. "It wasn't smooth. Partly, we seemed hesitant. Partly, they checked pretty tight throughout the entire game."

Holmqvist preserved the shutout late in the second, stopping a flurry of shots during a power play for Carolina. However, Cory Stillman deflected a shot by defenseman David Tanabe past Holmqvist late in the third to halve the deficit.

"If the game would have been 1-0 (when Stillman scored), I would have been very disappointed," Holmqvist said. "But the guys battled hard in front (of me). It was a good tip by Stillman and it went in. I didn't really care, as long as we won the game."

"Holmqvist made some big saves, especially on our power plays," Stillman said. "It seems like that was the only time we were getting opportunities. Obviously, some of the shots we'd like to take back, but he made some big saves late in the second and again late in the third."

Ward finished with 30 saves for Carolina, which fell to 4-7-0 in its last 11 games after starting the season 11-4-3.