Callahan returns to MSG, TB beats Rangers

NEW YORK (AP) -- Ryan Callahan scored two goals in his first game against his former New York Rangers teammates, and the surging Tampa Bay Lightning rode another big offensive outburst to a 5-1 victory Monday night.

Ryan Callahan of the Tampa Bay Lightning skates around Henrik Lundqvist of the New York Rangers before scoring a goal at Madison Square Garden in New York City. (Alex Goodlett, Getty Images)

Callahan netted the second of Tampa Bay's two first-period goals and then closed the scoring with 2:51 left in the game for the Lightning, who lead the NHL with 71 goals in 19 games. Nikita Kucherov also scored in the opening frame, and Steven Stamkos and Alex Killorn had goals in the second after New York closed within a goal.

Stamkos also had two assists, as did Tyler Johnson, Ondrej Palat and Valtteri Filppula. Ben Bishop made 15 saves on New York's season-low 16 shots.

The Lightning (13-4-2), one point behind Eastern Conference-leading Montreal, are 8-1-1 in their past 10 games.

Filed Under: New York Rangers