Bergeron scores in OT, lifts Lightning over Canes

TAMPA, Fla. – Marc-Andre Bergeron scored 1:32 into overtime, helping the Tampa Bay Lightning rebound after blowing a two-goal lead during the final minute of regulation and beat the Carolina Hurricanes 4-3 on Saturday night.

Bergeron's goal from the right circle came off a pass from Sean Bergenheim.

Carolina had tied it 3-3 on late goals by Jeff Skinner and Erik Cole after goalie Cam Ward went to the Hurricanes bench for an extra skater.

Vincent Lecavalier scored his fourth goal in three games, and Dwayne Roloson made 31 saves as Tampa Bay won for the eighth time in 10 games.

Tampa Bay also got goals from Steve Downie and Bergenheim. The Southeast Division-leading Lightning increased their cushion over second-place Washington to five points.

Eric Staal also scored for the Hurricanes, who have lost five of six. Carolina plays at Atlanta on Sunday. Both teams have 60 points, with the Hurricanes playing one less game, and the winning club will own sole possession of eighth place in the Eastern Conference.

After Skinner, an 18-year old rookie with 21 goals this season, scored with 51.1 seconds left, Cole tied it with 32.9 seconds left when a shot deflected off his leg in the slot.

Ward made 37 shots. He took a shot from the right circle by Steven Stamkos off his mask early in the third, but wasn't hurt.

Downie put the Lightning ahead 1-0 from the low slot 4:26 into the second.

Lecavalier made it 2-0 during a power play at 7:41 of the second. The Tampa Bay captain had just one goal in 16 games before his current three-game goal streak.

Staal cut the deficit to 2-1 with his 27th of the season, scoring on a power play with 10:52 left in the second.

Bergenheim extended the Lightning advantage to 3-1 at 12:48 of the third with a goal in his 300th NHL game.

Stamkos assisted on Downie's goal for his 74th point (40 goals, 34 assists). He has five assists and six points during a three-game point streak.

Notes: The Lightning are 5-2 just past the midway point of a 12-game homestand. ... Tampa Bay LW Ryan Malone, hurt in Tuesday's game against Buffalo, will be sidelined indefinitely with an abdominal injury. ... Hurricanes D Joni Pitkanen returned after missing one game because of an unidentified lower body injury. He had two assists, giving him 20 in 24 games against Tampa Bay.