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Lightning aim for fourth straight win vs. Hurricanes

Jan 29, 2009 - 11:26 AM Tampa Bay (17-21-10) at Carolina (23-21-5), 7:00 pm EST

RALEIGH, North Carolina (Ticker) -- The Tampa Bay Lightning have apparently not given up on their playoff aspirations.

The Lightning will seek their fourth consecutive victory Thursday, when they visit the Carolina Hurricanes in a battle of Southeast Division foes.

Despite trade rumors swirling around captain Vincent Lecavalier, Tampa Bay has won seven of 10 and climbed within eight points of the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

Lecavalier and fellow All-Star Martin St. Louis each recorded a goal and an assist as the Lightning scored three times in the second period Tuesday en route to a 5-3 victory over the Montreal Canadiens.

Tampa Bay is still looking up at the Hurricanes, who are in jeopardy of not making the postseason for a third straight campaign after winning the Stanley Cup in 2005-06.

Carolina currently sits 10th in the conference - one spot in front of the Lightning, but could climb to eighth with a win and a loss by the Florida Panthers.

Tuomo Ruutu scored a goal and set up another and captain Rod Brind'Amour had two assists Tuesday, but the Hurricanes suffered a 3-2 loss to the New York Rangers.