Jason Spezza: Jason Spezza picks up 2 points vs. Lightning

However, the Stars have begun to assert their identity within head coach Lindy Ruff’s system and put away games that may have turned into disasters in years past, putting Edmonton down at home after two deflections knotted that game at two goals apiece and holding off a Tampa Bay advance in the third period of a game Dallas led 4-1.

Tampa Bay Lightning captain Steven Stamkos scored his third goal of the season on Thursday night while in the process of falling to the ice.

He has 20 goals and 30 assists in his career against Tampa Bay.

While it isn’t time to panic and it’s likely these are just signs of a still-young player going through a few growing pains, Klingberg needs to kick it into gear and return to playing like the burgeoning superstar Stars fans saw last season.

Lightning head coach Jon Cooper said he spoke to Hedman, who has a past history with concussions, after the game.

Spezza has 21 goals and 52 points in 39 games against Tampa Bay. The Stars are 8-3 in the last 11 meetings in Tampa Bay and 1-5 in the last 6 meetings overall.

“I think we need to work on our special teams a little bit, and our penalty kill was the top 10 in the league past year and we’re struggling there”.

McKenzie needed assistance from the ice and appeared to be unable to put weight on his leg as he headed toward the locker room from the bench.

Bishop, who allowed five goals on the 22 shots he faced, was pulled with about three minutes left but all the scoring was finished for the night.

The Lightning sandwiched two power plays around a Dallas man advantage in the second half of the first period. The Stars did not provide any update on his condition, only that he was taken to hospital.

“We’re concerned for his well-being”, Lightning center Brian Boyle said. “We want him to recover so he can get healthy, especially with what the injury might be”.

Second Period-4, Dallas, Eakin 3 (Janmark, Sceviour), 9:34.

Mattias Janmark and Ales Hemsky combined for three points in tonight’s game, and both have tallied at least one point in each of the Dallas Stars’ four games thus far. Captain Jamie Benn was also great, scoring a wrap-around goal in the middle of the second period.

Tyler Seguin tied the game for Dallas at 8:58.

However, a poor game by the Stars in Colorado and a lackluster performance from Niemi opened the door for Lehtonen to reassert himself, and he’s taken advantage.

The message was heard loud and clear as on Tuesday against the Edmonton Oilers, the Dallas “stars” were all over the place.

Ben Bishop made 21 saves and has started each game for Tampa, which plays seven of its first 10 on the road.

NOTES: Tampa Bay is 4-12-3 at home against Dallas, their worst home record against any opponent…. McKenzie was recalled from Dallas of the AHL on Wednesday after RWPatrick Eaves went on injured reserve Wednesday with a lower body injury…. Killorn has two assists in Tampa Bay’s first four games…. Stars RW Valeri Nichushkin was scratched for the second consecutive game.