Lightning  2    Panthers  5

Tampa Bay Lightning (28-31-12) at Florida Panthers (28-31-11), 5 p.m.

Sports Network | March 21, 2010

(Sports Network) - A pair of Southeast Division foes with fading playoff chances will meet tonight in Florida, as the Panthers host the Tampa Bay Lightning at BankAtlantic Center.

The Lightning are six points behind Boston for the eighth and final playoff berth in the Eastern Conference. Florida is 14th out of 15 teams in the East but just one point in back of Tampa Bay.

Tampa has certainly not played like a playoff team recently, losing four straight, six of seven and 11 of its last 13 games. The Lightning last went six straight without a win when they were 0-5-1 from Dec. 7-17.

The Bolts were dealt their fourth straight regulation setback Saturday, as Alex Ovechkin returned from his two-game suspension to post a goal in leading the Washington Capitals to a 3-1 road win at St. Pete Times Forum.

Vincent Lecavalier scored the lone goal while Antero Niittymaki made 25 stops for the Lightning.

"What can I say, I haven't been winning games," said Niittymaki. "At one point in my career I lost 15 straight. But you have to keep your spirits up and keep working. It'll come around eventually."

Tampa has a poor 10-19-6 record as the guest this year and will play five of its six remaining games in March on the road.

The Panthers, meanwhile, have gone 0-2-1 so far on a four-game homestand that ends today. After getting a point in Thursday's shootout loss to Phoenix, Florida was dealt a 3-1 setback Saturday by the Buffalo Sabres. Ryan Miller made 31 saves to lead Buffalo to victory.

Byron Bitz scored the lone goal for the Panthers, who are 1-3-1 over their last five contests following a three-game win streak. Tomas Vokoun turned aside 17-of-19 shots before being pulled early in the second period. Scott Clemmensen made 16 saves in relief.

The Panthers, who will begin a three-game road trip Tuesday in Toronto, are just 14-13-8 at home this year.

Florida has taken two of three from the Lightning this season and has come out on top in five of the last nine encounters overall. Tampa has lost three of five and seven of its last 10 tests in Sunrise.