Thrashers, Lehtonen shut out Tampa Bay - Gainesville Times

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Thrashers, Lehtonen shut out Tampa Bay

Atlanta Thrashers' Ilya Kovalchuk celebrates with teammates Chris Thorburn, left, and Bobby Holik (16) after scoring a goal against the Tampa Bay Lightning during the third period Monday night in Tampa, Fla. The Thrashers beat the Lightning 2-0. - photo by The Associated Press

Thrashers Lightning H Holl — Atlanta Thrashers' Ilya Kovalchuk celebrates with teammates Chris Thorburn, left, and Bobby Holik (16) after scoring a goal against the Tampa Bay Lightning during the third period Monday night in Tampa, Fla. The Thrashers beat the Lightning 2-0. - photo by The Associated Press

TAMPA, Fla. — Ilya Kovalchuk scored two third-period goals and Kari Lehtonen stopped 36 shots for his fourth shutout as the Thrashers defeated Tampa Bay 2-1 on Monday.

Kovalchuk tied his career-high in goals with 52, matching his total for the 2005-06 season.

He has 16 points (11 goals, five assists) in 15 games during March, and has eight goals in the past seven games against Tampa Bay.

Mike Smith, who made his first start for Tampa Bay in three games due to a sprained left knee, had 23 saves on 24 shots.

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