TAMPA, Fla. (AP) -- The Tampa Bay Lightning got something they've been unaccustomed to getting: a third-period comeback.

Chris Gratton scored with 5:20 left in regulation Saturday night as the Lighting completed a three-goal third-period with a 4-4 tie against the Atlanta Thrashers.

"It doesn't do much for your blood pressure," Tampa Bay coach Steve Ludzik said. "I'm was pretty excited on the bench."

Since the start of the 1997-98 season, the Lightning are 1-85-9 when trailing after 40 minutes. The tie ended Tampa Bay's three-game losing skid.

Andrew Brunette had two goals and an assist for the Thrashers, who have three-game (1-0-2-0) unbeaten streak.

"That's learning ... you have to learn how to win," Atlanta coach Curt Fraser said. "No matter how many goals you are up in the third period, teams in this league can turn it on you pretty quick."

Gratton swatted a loose puck past goalie Damian Rhodes during a goalmouth scramble. Trailing 4-1 after two periods, the Lightning came back to get a point on goals by Vincent Lecavalier, Mike Sillinger and Gratton.

"The third period, we came out with fire in our eyes and that's something we have to do again," Gratton said.

Tampa Bay outshot the Thrashers 35-23. The Thrashers, who had an overtime power play, had a 6-2 shot advantage during the extra session.

"It's not that great," Rhodes said of the tie. "It's a little deflating, but we're a young team and we have to learn how to play with the lead. It's still early and we still have many chances to learn."

Tampa Bay took a 1-0 lead on Stephane Richer's first-period power-play goal. Richer has three goals in the past two games.

Brunette scored the first of his two goals to tie it.

Second-period goals by Atlanta's Yannick Tremblay, Petr Buzek and Brunette snapped the 1-1 tie.

Tremblay's one-timer from the slot broke the tie early in the second period. Buzek, who pick up a loose puck and stuffed home a backhander at the right post, and Brunette added power-play goals.

Ray Ferraro had two assists, his first points of the season for the Thrashers.