Thrashers still can't solve Niittymaki

By Chris Vivlamore

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

TAMPA -- The curse lives.

The Thrashers failed in their 17th consecutive attempt to defeat Lightning goaltender Antero Niittymaki, this time losing 6-2 on Saturday night at St. Pete Times Forum.

The Lightning, who had lost five consecutive, continued their mastery over the Thrashers this season. The Lightning won the final five games in this year’s series with their Southeast Division rival.

“I think they were a little better than us tonight,” Thrashers goaltender Johan Hedberg said. “They were faster and sharper and they capitalized on their chances.”

The Thrashers fell to 28-25-10 (66 points) and lost for the first time in regulation in seven games (4-1-2). The Thrashers entered Saturday’s game in a three-way tie (with the Rangers and Canadiens) for eighth place in the Eastern Conference, pending Montreal’s late game against the Kings. They are three points behind the seventh-place Bruins after the Bruins won Saturday afternoon.

The Lightning improved to 27-26-11 (65 points), just a point behind the Thrashers.

Niittymaki, who stopped 29 shots, has a .945 save percentage and a 1.75 goals-against average in four wins over the Thrashers.

“I think they wanted it a little bit more,” Thrashers coach John Anderson said. “They were desperate. If we would have won, it would have really hurt their [playoff chances].”

The Lightning came back from an early one-goal deficit with three first-period goals.

Martin St. Louis scored his 23rd goal of the season at the 8:47 mark. St. Louis skated in on a breakaway. Hedberg appeared to stop the play by coming way out of the net and swatting the puck away with his stick. However, the puck bounced off defenseman Johnny Oduya and into the empty net.

“He beat me and I was trying to catch up,” Oduya said. “ … It just came off and hit my skate. Obviously, I have to pick him up earlier.”

Anderson said he thought the play was offsides.

Steven Stamkos, who assisted on St. Louis’ goal, scored on the power play at the 13:06 mark, his 39th goal of the season. Stamkos now has an NHL-leading 16-game point streak with 29 points (15 goals, 14 assists).

Paul Szczechura scored with 3:00 left in the period to give the Lightning a commanding lead.

“From there we were in the hole, chasing and chasing,” said Hedberg, who stopped 24 shots.

The Thrashers struck first with Niclas Bergfors’ goal 3:22 into the game. Bergfors started the play with a drop pass to Nik Antropov, who found Bryan Little skating in on Niittymaki. Little’s shot was stopped, but Bergfors banged in the rebound for his 19th goal of the season and sixth in eight games as a Thrasher.

Evander Kane left the game with 4:06 left in the first period after blocking a shot with his foot. He did not return. Team officials said Kane will be re-evaluated Monday and likely will miss Sunday’s game against the Hurricanes.

The Thrashers pulled to within a goal when Colby Armstrong scored at the 13:37 mark of the second period. It was Armstrong’s 11th goal of the season.

However, the Lightning answered three minutes later when newly acquired Teddy Purcell scored after being awarded a penalty shot. Maxim Afinogenov was called for slashing at Purcell was breaking in on Hedberg.

Vincent Lecavalier and Stamkos scored third-period goals to give the Lightning a comfortable margin. It was Stamkos' 40th goal of the season.

The Thrashers won’t have long to respond to the loss, they host Carolina on Sunday.

"We have to get right back in there tomorrow,” Hainsey said. “You have about 10 minutes to dwell on it. Tomorrow is just as big a game.”