Stamkos Leads Lightning; Capitals Survive Thrashers Comeback Attempt

Newsmakers in the NHL: During the regular season it's our weekday look at the previous night's action and some of the story lines taking place around the league. Have a tip or something you want linked? Send it in to nhlfanhouse@gmail.com.

Lightning 5, Senators 2: After what can only be described as a disappointing rookie season, Tampa Bay Lightning forward Steve Stamkos is starting to show the talents that made him the No. 1 overall pick in the 2008 draft. The 19-year-old center scored two more goals on Thursday (giving him nine on the season), while he and his linemates (Ryan Malone and Alex Tangauy) combined for eight points in Tampa Bay's 5-2 win against Ottawa.

Stamkos added an assist in the win, and is now tied with Martin St. Louis for the team lead with 14 points in 10 games. His second goal of the game, which gave Tampa Bay a 4-0 lead midway through the third period, was a perfectly placed wrist shot on the fly.

Capitals 4, Thrashers 3: Alex Ovechkin scored two goals in the first period and helped Washington take a 3-0 lead into the third period in Atlanta. The Thrashers managed to make it a game thanks to a pair of goals from Zach Bogosian and Todd White, only to have Mike Knuble seal it with an empty-netter with 53 seconds to play. Bogosian added a second goal with one second remaining. The Capitals have now won six in a row and get the Islanders at home on Friday.

Thursday's Other Games

Speaking of comeback attempts ... Detroit rallies to force a shootout in Edmonton but comes up short in the end.

New Jersey is now 6-0 on the road.

Ilya Bryzgalov picks up the shutout against St. Louis.

Pekka Rinne stopped all 22 shots he faced to help lead Nashville past Chicago.

Vancouver knocks off the kings in a shootout.

Loose Pucks

-- The top 10 worst shootout attempts of all time. [Greatest Hockey Legends]

-- Phil Kessel might be getting close to making his Toronto Maple Leafs debut. They certainly need him. [Leafs247]

Picture Of The Day

I already gave you your video of the day up above, so here's a picture of the day: You're always in the spotlight when you're a goaltender in the NHL.

Friday's Key Games

Avalanche vs. Sharks: Probably the best game of the night as Colorado, the team with the best record in the NHL at the moment, visits the team that finished last year with the best record in the NHL.

Penguins vs. Blue Jackets: The suddenly shorthanded Penguins visit Columbus. Based on their meetings from a year ago, this could be a fantastic rivalry if the NHL ever put them in the same division.

Maple Leafs vs. Sabres: A team that seems to be sneaking under the radar? Buffalo. The Sabres have lost only one game in regulation and Ryan Miller is leading the league in just about every category for goaltenders.