Ryan Malone Injury Update: Tampa's Left Winger Could Return Saturday

Its been an tough season for Tampa Bay Lightning left winger Ryan Malone but hopefully good news is on the horizon, as Damian Cristodero of the Tampa Bay Times reported Thursday that Malone skated with the team and "might be ready to play Saturday at Buffalo." However, there is no official timetable for his return.

"It all feels good," Malone said to Cristodero Thursday. "We're just making sure, and we'll see how it feels (Saturday)."

Marlone, who has tallied 10 goals and 27 points in just 41 of Tampa's 53 games, is a much needed physical presence for a team that lost at the New York Rangers 4-3 in overtime Thursday, its second in a row.

For more news, analysis, and discussion on Tampa Bay Lightning hockey, visit SB Nation's Lighting blog Raw Charge. For more on New York Rangers hockey, visit SB Nation's Rangers blog Blueshirt Banter. For all your hockey news, be sure to follow along at SB Nation's NHL hub.

Lightning Vs. Rangers Recap: Tampa Bay Falls In Overtime At Madison Square Garden

The Tampa Bay Lightning lost their second in a row on Thursday night, falling in overtime to the Eastern Conference-leading New York Rangers. The Bolts took a one-goal lead into the third period, looking for their second consecutive win at Madison Square Garden. Tampa put just 17 shots-on-goal and it caught up with them in the final period.

But Brian Boyle evened it up for the Rangers mid way through the final period. The enormous center took a feed from rookie Carl Hagelin and beat Mathieu Garon to tie it up at 3-3. In overtime, Brad Richards won it on a goal just two and half minutes into the extra frame. Richards had a quiet night but capitalized on the chance to deliver the win for John Tortorella. The Bolts now travel across New York to face the Buffalo Sabres on Saturday night.

For more news, analysis, and discussion on Tampa Bay Lightning hockey, visit SB Nation's Lighting blog Raw Charge. For more on New York Rangers hockey, visit SB Nation's Rangers blog Blueshirt Banter. For all your hockey news, be sure to follow along at SB Nation's NHL hub.

Lightning Vs. Rangers Score Update: Steven Stamkos Leads Off, Bruno Gervais Adds Power Play Goal To Give Tampa 3-2 Lead

The Tampa Bay Lightning are looking to win their second in a row at Madison Square Garden, and lead the best team in the Eastern Conference 3-2 after two periods. The Bolts stopped a five-game losing streak in early December with a shootout victory at MSG, defeating the Rangers 3-2.

On Thursday, the NHL's leading scorer Steven Stamkos opened the scoring with his 36th goal of the year. Stammer took a feed from Brett Connolly and beat Martin Biron, who got the start in place of Henrik Lundqvist. It was Connolly's first point in two-and-half months. Stamkos broke away and with a Ranger defenseman draped on him, managed to get off a backhand that found the back of the net.

A back-and-forth second period finished with two unanswered goals from the Bolts. The Rangers tied it at 1-1 on the power play, as Ryan Callahan scored less than five minutes into the period. The man advantage came as a result of a questionable hooking call on Ryan Shannon. The Rangers then took a 2-1 lead less than a minute later when Derek Stepan scored his 11th of the season.

But the Lightning responded as captain Vincent LeCavalier answered just twenty seconds later to tie it up. Tampa would then re-take the lead on the power play, as Stamkos fed Bruno Gervais who converted the special teams score. Stamkos fired it from the corner as Gervais moved in from the point to a dead spot on the opposite side of the ice and fired away.

The Rangers put constant pressure on the Bolts as the period wound down, but Mathieu Garon managed to hold on and maintain the 3-2 lead with one period to play.

For more news, analysis, and discussion on Tampa Bay Lightning hockey, visit SB Nation's Lighting blog Raw Charge. For more on New York Rangers hockey, visit SB Nation's Rangers blog Blueshirt Banter. For all your hockey news, be sure to follow along at SB Nation's NHL hub.

Rangers Vs. Lightning: Game Time, TV Schedule, Radio And More

More: Bolts vs. Rangers Preview

The Tampa Bay Lightning are trying to bounce-back after having their points streak of seven consecutive games come to an end Tuesday. However, the Bolts' will need to do it on the road against one of the league's top teams, the New York Rangers, at Madison Square Garden, a place where they've already lost once this season.

This is the third of four meeting between the team Eastern Conference teams this year. This is also the first game of a three-game road trip for Tampa Bay, who will play at the Buffalo Sabres and Pittsburgh Penguins, respectively.

For those who'd like to catch the game, here's the game time, TV information and links to the radio streams.

Location: Madison Square Garden, New York, NY
Game Time: 7:00 p.m. on EST
TV Channel: Sun Sports
Panthers Radio: AM 970 WFLA
Announcers: David Mishkin (play-by-play), Phil Esposito (radio analyst)
Lightning-Ranges line: Rangers (-190)

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Lightning Vs. Rangers: Bolts Face Eastern Conference Leaders In New York

The Tampa Bay Lightning need a strong showing tonight against the New York Rangers if they want to stay in the playoff conversation. As always, this battle will be decided in the net.