Nik Backstrom owns the Lightning.
TB-2
MIN-4
Mike Smith [6] allowed 3 goals on 32 shots in the loss.
First Period
12:07 MIN Nolan (3), (Miettinen, Sheppard)
19:20 TB Vrbata (3), (Stamkos, Ranger)(PP)
Second Period
09:51 TB Malone (6), (Lecavalier)
Third Period
02:01 MIN Sheppard (2), (Bergeron, Zidlicky)
06:10 MIN Koivu (6), (Miettinen, Bergeron)
19:37 MIN Belanger (6), (unassisted)
The Lightning had their chance to tie late on a 5-on-3 opportunity, but Nik Backstrom slammed the door.
Steve Downie [7] had 2 shots, 1 hit, and 1 blocked shot in 6:05 in his Lightning debut.
Steven Stamkos [8] had an assist and was -2 with 3 shots and 2 hits in a career high 20:32 of ice time. He also was 33% on draws.
Box score [9] and extended statistics [10] from NHL.com.