CHICAGO -- Theo Fleury's second goal in two games with the Chicago Blackhawks proved to be the game-winner.

Fleury, who had returned from a 25-game suspension last week, scored a tiebreaking goal with 4:57 left in the third period to help the Blackhawks defeat the Tampa Bay Lightning 3-1 Sunday.

Jocelyn Thibault makes 20 saves to lift the 'Hawks to their third victory in nine games. (AP)

Fleury's shot from right wing struck the post and angled in over the goal line behind Tampa Bay goaltender Nikolai Khabibulin. The goal came three seconds after a Chicago power play elapsed.

"I just kind of threw it at the net and it went in," said Fleury, who was suspended by the NHL on Oct. 8 for violating terms of the league's substance abuse aftercare program. "It was just a few seconds after a power play. I had no idea (the puck went in).

"Not having played for a couple of months, having a couple of goals is a bonus."

Fleury also scored in his first game following the suspension, a 4-3 loss to Anaheim on Friday. Chicago coach Brian Sutter suggested more than luck was involved.

"He didn't just throw it at the net," Sutter said. "Where did it go? It went upstairs. That's where goal-scorers shoot."

Steve McCarthy scored in the first period for the Blackhawks, who got an empty-net goal from Igor Korolev.

Jocelyn Thibault made 20 saves for the Blackhawks, who won for only the third time in nine games.

Khabibulin blocked 35 shots and Martin St. Louis scored a power-play goal for the Lightning. Tampa Bay has won just one of seven games.

"We had a lot of chances in the game," Khabibulin said. "I think we battled hard. We didn't score a second goal and it cost us the game."

McCarthy opened the scoring 2:49 into the first period. His shot from the left point deflected off Tampa Bay defenseman Cory Sarich and past Khabibulin.

It was the first goal of the season for McCarthy, who was recalled from Norfolk of the AHL on Thursday.

St. Louis tied it at 1 with a power-play goal at 5:51 of the second.

Notes

• Tampa Bay defenseman Darren Rumble, recalled from Springfield of the AHL on Saturday, played Sunday.
• St. Louis has eight points (five goals, three assists) in seven games.
• Sunday's game was the second in a four-game road trip for the Lightning.
• The Blackhawks have converted only one of their past 29 power-play chances.

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