Callahan the catalyst: Lightning win again as veteran scores twice

After a 54-point campaign a year ago, Ryan Callahan has struggled to produce at the same pace this season. But one thing hasn't changed - when the 30-year-old scores, the Tampa Bay Lightning win.

Callahan scored his seventh of the season with a rocket in the second period and added an empty-netter in the final minute as the Lightning beat the Carolina Hurricanes 4-2 on Sunday. Since joining the team in 2013, the Rochester, N.Y., native has lifted Tampa Bay to a record of 27-5-2 in games in which he scores.

(Courtesy: NHL.com)

"The confidence is definitely there again," said Callahan, who has three goals and five points in his last four games. He now has eight goals and 22 points in 58 games on the season.

J.T. Brown scored his eighth of the season, while captain Steven Stamkos' team-leading 25th would stand as the eventual game-winner. At the other end of the rink, Ben Bishop made 29 saves to backstop the Lightning's third consecutive win.

Now just five points behind the rival Florida Panthers for the Atlantic Division lead, Tampa Bay will host the struggling Arizona Coyotes on Tuesday before heading out on a four-game road trip.