The Tampa Bay Lightning turned to the stars to guide it out of a late-season slump Sunday.
Goaltender Ben Bishop? He pitched his fourth shutout of the season, stopping 37 shots by the Blue Jackets. It was the 14th shutout for Bishop as a Bolt, which tied him with Nikolai Khabibulin in the category (in six fewer games).
Captain Steve Stamkos? He scored twice, his 30th and 31st of the season, and added an assist. It was Stamkos’ fifth 30-goal season in eight years.
Ondrej Palat? He fed Stamkos for one shorthanded goal, then took a pass from Stamkos for a second.
It all added up to a 4-0 victory for Tampa Bay, a game that ended a three-game losing streak (which came after a nine-game winning streak).
Vladislav Namestnikov also scored for the Lightning.
The Lightning, which started the day in fifth position for the playoffs, finished it tied for third. Tampa Bay plays at Toronto Tuesday night.