NHL: Tampa Bay 3, Florida 2 (SO)

TAMPA, Fla., Feb. 20 (UPI) -- Martin St. Louis had an earlier goal and scored the winner in the shootout Tuesday to lead the Tampa Bay Lightning to a 3-2 win over the Florida Panthers.

With the shootout tied at 1-1, St. Louis had the third shot for the Lightning and sent the puck between the pads of Ed Belfour.

Steve Montador had the last opportunity for Florida, but Marc Denis knocked the puck off of Montador's stick to give the Lightning the win.

Ryan Craig scored the other regulation goal and Denis finished the game with 28 saves for the Lightning, who have won four of their last five games and eight of 10.

Tampa Bay and Atlanta are tied for first place in the Southeast Division with 71 points.

Nathan Horton scored both goals and Belfour stopped 35 shots for the Panthers.