Tom Pyatt News

The Lightning Tuesday night played a Kings team that entered with a league-worst 111 goals and scored one goal in its previous two games, both losses.

But as Tampa Bay resumed action Tuesday after a weeklong break for the All-Star game, there was a welcome back gift waiting.

Steven Stamkos scored his NHL-leading 33rd goal at 2:45 of overtime, giving the Tampa Bay Lightning a 4-3 victory over the Washington Capitals on Tuesday night.

Steven Stamkos scored his NHL-leading 33rd goal at 2:45 of overtime, giving the Tampa Bay Lightning a 4-3 victory over the Washington Capitals on Tuesday night.

That, Marty St. Louis said, will serve the Lightning best as it starts what it hopes to be a playoff push.

Defenseman Victor Hedman , out since sustaining a concussion on Dec. 27, wore a red non-contact jersey and took part in the full morning practice before Tuesday night's game against Columbus.

The latest casualty is right wing Dana Tyrell, who left Monday's practice at the Ice Sports Forum early with what is believed a knee problem.

During a recent meeting with Teddy Purcell , Lightning coach Guy Boucher said he would gladly give the right wing more ice time if he deserved it.

Smith, who spent the previous three-plus seasons tending goal for the Lightning, is enjoying a revitalization of his career with the Phoenix Coyotes.

Tampa Bay Lightning head coach Guy Boucher paces the bench behind Tom Pyatt and Dana Tyrell during the first period of their NHL hockey game against the Vancouver Canucks in Tampa, Florida, Jan.

Tonight The Tampa Bay Lightning take on The Dallas Stars. Looking at the stats, Dallas is a bit better than Tampa.

With three games remaining until the 2012 NHL All-Star break commences, the Bolts head out on their final west-of-the-Mississippi trip of the season for back-to-back games against the Dallas Stars and Phoenix Coyotes .

The Lightning's practice Thursday at the Ice Sports Forum was no time to be lazy.

Tampa Bay Lightning left wing Tom Pyatt watches as his shot gets past Boston Bruins goalie Tim Thomas for a goal during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Tuesday, Jan.

WASHINGTON For about 55 minutes Friday night, the Lightning looked a lot like the team that swept the Washington Capitals out of the second round of the playoffs last season.

With the panic button being mashed more regularly toward the Lightning and the overall direction of the 2011-12 season, it's worth noting there is more than one performer who is living up to a standard that he's renown for.

The Pens continue their tour of Florida with a meeting against the Tampa Bay Lightning, who are hoping to snap a six-game losing streak.

Troy Brouwer got his first career hat trick, and Alex Ovechkin also scored Friday night as the Washington Capitals took a 4-3 victory that handed the Tampa Bay Lightning a sixth straight loss.