4
0
Lightning losing streak hits three is bizarre tilt.
CBJ-3
TB-1
Curtis McElhinney allowed two goals on 20 shots for the loss. Played well enough for a W on most nights.
First Period
NO SCORING
Second Period
10:49 CBJ Bjorkstrand (13), (Werenski, Roslovic)
19:28 CBJ Savard (1), (Texier, Foligno)
Third Period
4:12 TB Joseph (10), (Schenn, Borgman)
18:29 CBJ Atkinson (13), (Foligno)(EN)
Victor Hedman was the game’s second star.
I’ve got nothing. The Lightning outshot and outchanced Columbus by a remarkable margin. MoneyPuck’s Deserve-to-Win Meter actually tilted about 70% in Tampa Bay’s favor, even with McDonagh and Cernak still out and the Lightning still icing a defensive corps taxed to its limits due to a lack of quality NHL’ers. That’s also with the refs only calling on penalty the whole game, and if you believe that was warranted in a world where Columbus does that much clutching in grabbing I’ve got swampland in the Everglades I’d like to sell to you. 61 total attempted shots for Tampa Bay to Columbus’ 36 and yet…
On the bright side, two hours ago and after awkwardly teetering into the boards, it appeared that Victor Hedman might have a season-ending injury. He evidently didn’t as he only missed maybe a couple of shifts. I’ll take that bargain and run.
Cal Foote was -1 with 3 shots, 1 hit, and 1 blocked shot in 22:46. On balance, it was a subpar game. He did some nice things in the offensive zone but I though Columbus picked on him in the defensive third. 22:46 is just way more ice time than he should be getting with his experience level and current skating deficiencies, but with Cernak out the Lightning have little choice. It’s good educational minutes for Foote, but in the long run his ideal IT is probably more in the 12-14 minute range at the moment.
Ross Colton was -1 in 10:35 and was 67% on 12 draws. This was his least effective game as an NHLer thus far. That fourth line still got a goal, though.
Box score and extended statistics from NHL.com.
