Steven Stamkos (Credit: Kevin Hoffman-US PRESSWIRE)
Written by
The Associated Press
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) - Steven Stamkos had his second hat trick this season and fifth overall to lift the Tampa Bay Lightning to a 5-2 victory over the Carolina Hurricanes on Saturday.
Stamkos scored his third goal of the game and 26th of the season from the left circle on a power-play 43 seconds into the third. Just 22 seconds later Tampa Bay went up 4-2 on a goal by Teddy Purcell.
Carolina got goals from Justin Faulk and Jay Harrison. Eric Staal had two assists, giving him three assists and five points in his last two games.
Steve Downie scored a third-period goal at 6:51 and also had two assists for the Lightning, who have won three in a row and five of seven.
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