Michalek has 3 goals as Ottawa beats Tampa Bay

Ottawa Senators defenseman Erik Karlsson (65), of Sweden, celebrates with right wing Daniel Alfredsson (11), of Sweden, after scoring against the Tampa Bay Lightning during the second period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, March 6, 2012, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

March 6, 2012

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TAMPA, Fla.—Milan Michalek scored three third-period goals, helping the Ottawa Senators withstand a Tampa Bay comeback attempt and beat the Lightning 7-3 on Tuesday night.

Ottawa, which took a three-goal lead early on, went up 5-3 when Michalek scored a power-play goal at 12:12 of third. The left wing added two empty-goals, including a short-handed effort with 7 seconds left to give him 32 goals this season.

Tampa Bay got within 4-3 when Steven Stamkos scored his league-leading 48th goal of the season during a power play at 5:41 of the third. The center has five goals and three assists during a five-game point streak.

Sergei Gonchar, Colin Greening, Kyle Turris and Erik Karlsson had the other Ottawa goals. Michalek also had an assist, setting up Greening's goal with a nifty pass from behind the net.