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Islanders look to stop slide vs. surging Lighting

Dec 8, 2007 - 2:42 PM NY Islanders (13-12-2) at Tampa Bay (13-13-2) 7:30 pm EST

TAMPA, Florida (Ticker) - Two teams going in opposite directions square off Saturday as the New York Islanders visit the Tampa Bay Lightning.

The Islanders will be trying to end a five-game losing streak while Lightning gun for their fourth straight win.

New York is coming off another dismal offensive performance, getting blanked by the Florida Panthers, 3-0, on Friday. The Islanders have an NHL-low 60 goals and have scored just six times during the losing streak.

The offensive woes have put more pressure on goaltender Rick DiPietro, who has not received more than three goals of support since November 1 - a span of 16 games.

With losses in eight of their last 10 contests, the Islanders have fallen to the bottom of the Atlantic Division standings with 28 points.

The Lightning have not shared the Islanders' offensive problems thanks to the play of Vincent Lecavalier.

Lecavalier, who notched a goal and an assist in Thursday's 2-1 triumph over the Carolina Hurricanes, has 19 goals and an NHL-best 44 points this season.

Tampa Bay's top line of Lecavalier, Vaclav Prospal, and Martin St. Louis have combined for 42 tallies and 107 points.