5
0
Lightning learn their lesson… sort of.
MIN-4
TB-5 (SO)
Brian Elliott allowed four goals on 32 shots before blanking all three shooters he faced in the PS session for the win. Putting aside the stat line, to the eye test, he played well. He was moving around well and tracking the puck nicely.
First Period
1:06 TB Cirelli (5), (Hedman, Palat)(PP)
11:14 TB Maroon (4), (Perry, Sergachev)
14:40 MIN Foligno (7), (Dumba, Goligoski)(PP)
Second Period
3:56 MIN Duhame (3), (Benn, Pitlick)
17:07 TB Cirelli (6), (Foote, Killorn)
Third Period
9:19 TB Barre-Boulet (2), (Stamkos, McDonagh)
17:12 MIN Fiala (3), (Kulikov, Goligoski)
19:21 MIN Eriksson Ek (8), (Kaprizov, Fiala)
Overtime
NO SCORING
Shootout
MIN- NONE
TB- Stamkos
Anthony Cirelli, Steven Stamkos, and Ryan McDonagh were the game’s three stars.
I think if all you saw was the scoring summary you’d be dismayed seeing another two goal lead blown in the Third Period. But, again, the eye test said something different. They held Minnesota to just six shots in the period and many of those came in the extra attacker situation. So, I felt as though the Lightning responded to the debacle against New Jersey and made the corrections. 99% of the time, that effort gets you a regulation W.
The team just needs one of the next six available points to have a successful 10-game segment. There’s a real chance to squirrel away some points like acorns right now. Big question now is how much time Brayden Point might miss. The important thing to remember, though, is that which doesn’t kill the Lightning is only making them stronger. You’re seeing players like Cirelli and Colton have to grow up and fill larger roles, and that’s only making this team deadlier when Point and Kucherov and Cernak finally return.
Alex Barre-Boulet had a goal and was +1 with 1 shot and 1 hit in 12:16.
Boris Katchouk had 1 shot and 4 hits in 11:00. Starting to become a low key fan favorite.
Taylor Raddysh was -1 with 3 hits in 11:59.
Cal Foote had a helper and was +1 with 1 shot and 1 hit in 8:14.
Ross Colton had 2 shots, 2 hits, and 1 blocked shot in 15:33. He was also 50% on 12 draws.
Box score and extended statistics from NHL.com.
