Halpern scores in shootout, Niittymaki stops 37 in Lightning win over Thrashers

TAMPA, Fla. - Jeff Halpern scored in the fifth round of the shootout and Antero Niittymaki topped Atlanta again in the Tampa Bay Lightning's 2-1 victory over the Thrashers on Saturday night.

Niittymaki made 37 saves, including three strong stops during overtime, and improved to 15-0 against Atlanta. Steven Stamkos netted Tampa Bay's only goal.

Nik Antropov scored for the Thrashers, who have lost 13 of 15 on the road. Johan Hedberg stopped 24 shots.

Tampa Bay's Kurtis Foster had a fourth-round shootout goal disallowed after a video review. After his initial shot was stopped by Hedberg, the puck went off his leg and into the net. A shooter is not allowed to score a rebound goal during the shootout.

Atlanta left winger Slava Kozlov was a healthy scratch, which ended his franchise record of 251 consecutive games. He has not scored in 16 games.

Antropov put the Thrashers ahead at 5:23 of the first period. Stamkos tied it at 1 during a power play just over two minutes later.

NOTES: Thrashers G Kari Lehtonen (back surgery) started a conditioning assignment with Chicago of the AHL. ... Stamkos has five goals and 10 points in 10 games against Atlanta. ... Tampa Bay rookie D Victor Hedman was back in the lineup after being a healthy scratch for Thursday's game with Toronto.