Steven Stamkos extended his franchise-record points streak to 16 games and Antero Niittymaki remained perfect against Atlanta, helping the Tampa Bay Lightning beat the Thrashers 6-2 on Saturday night.

Stamkos had two goals — which gave him 40 for the season — and an assist. The centre has 15 goals and 14 assists during his streak.

"He's a special guy," Tampa Bay coach Rick Tocchet said about Stamkos. "The guy thrives with ice time."

Niittymaki improved to 17-0-0 overall against Atlanta.

Martin St. Louis, Paul Szczechura, Teddy Purcell — on a penalty shot — and Vincent Lecavalier also scored for the Lightning, who stopped a five-game losing streak.

St. Louis was shaken up after being checked into the boards by Atlanta's Clarke MacArthur with 7:46 left in the game.

After spending a couple of minutes kneeling behind the Thrashers' net, St. Louis was able to skate off the ice.

Niclas Bergfors and Colby Armstrong scored for Atlanta. The Thrashers are 4-1-2 in their last seven games.

Vinik on site

New Tampa Bay owner Jeff Vinik attended his first home game since getting NHL approval on Wednesday to purchase the team.

After Bergfors opened the scoring at 3:22 into the game, goals by St. Louis, Stamkos and Szczechura gave Tampa Bay a 3-1 lead after one period. The Thrashers have been outscored 71-50 in the first this season.

St. Louis tied it at 8:47 before Stamkos made it 2-1 with 6:54 left in the period from the left circle during a power play.

Szczechura extended the Lightning advantage to 3-1 on his first goal in 29 games at the 17-minute mark.

St. Louis also had two assists, and he has 11 goals and 15 assists over his last 17 games.

Armstrong cut the Thrashers' deficit to 3-2 at 13:37 of the second. Purcell got the goal back on a penalty shot with 3:24 to go in the period.

Lecavalier and Stamkos had third-period goals.

"I thought it was a great team effort," Stamkos said.

"It was one of those games where if you lose it, you don't want to say that's the season, but it's pretty devastating to lose to a team like that that's ahead of you."