Afternoon affair sees the Lightning sweep the season series against Boston

Afternoon affair marks the end of the losing streak with a gutsy 2-1 victory in Boston spoiling a playoff berth for the Bruins in the process. Lightning would be without Darren Raddysh and Zemgus Girgensons this afternoon due to undisclosed injuries but are not major injuries. On the bright side, Brandon Hagel finally returned from injury giving the offense a boost. Regardless of the outcome of the final few games, what matters most is that the team has a healthy roster leading into the playoffs.

Tight play starts off the opening frame

Immediately, the Bruins tested the Lightning defense in the opening minute, but Vasilevskiy was able to brush the puck aside and away from the net. For the first five minutes of the game the Lightning could not generate much offensively but were not committing turnovers on the other end. However, the defense was playing a tight game limiting the Bruins to only a single shot on net which was also Tampa's total. Game flow was going smooth with a whistle not being blown for over eight minutes and it seemed a goal would not be easy to come by.

Goals would not be easy to produce

Tight play by both teams carried on with Boston having the best chance of scoring the first goal of the afternoon. With seven to go in the period the shots on goal were in favor of Boston three to two and Tampa's single best chance was from Charle-Edouard D'Astous. Then, Bruins nearly scored off a turnover but again Vasilevskiy was able to make the save and keep the game scoreless. On the other end, Jeremy Swayman made a great leg save to prevent the Lightning from opening the scoring. After a chaotic final minute, the first period ends with the game still scoreless.

Injury scares are never fun

Shockingly there was yet to be a penalty called in this afternoon affair with the second period underway. Bruins went on the offensive, but Andrei Vasilevskiy made a blocker save after a flurry of shots came his way to yet again keep the game scoreless. There was plenty of action to be had in this period especially compared to the first period. Hagel fell to the ice hard and immediately went off the ice and into the locker room. Lightning could not afford to pile up more injuries with only three games left especially when it is a player coming back from injury. Later on, Hagel did return to the bench avoiding any serious injury. Eventually a goal would be scored with the home team lighting the lamp on a breakaway.

Carless penalty nullifies power play

 While the Lightning were in the middle of a line change, Morgan Geekie wnet up the ice and scored uncontested to give Boston a 1-0 lead. Lightning has to have better awareness as this has been an issue plaguing them all season. If Tampa Bay wants to have a deep playoff run, they have to be more aware and smarter with the puck. With a minute to go in the period the first penalties of the afternoon were called. Nikita Kucherov was tripped which would have led to a Lightning power play but instead D'Astous is sent to the box for roughing. Why D'Astous thought there was a need to retaliate for the trip is a mystery and it cost the team a chance on the man advantage. Period ended with the score 1-0 Bruins.

Welcome back Hagel

Starting off the third period was one minute leftover of 4-on-4 hockey in which no goals were scored. Nick Paul nearly tied the game up, but the puck trickled just wide of the net. This time the Lightning would go on the power play without an undisciplined penalty called on Tampa. Lightning came up empty handed on the man advantage meaning the Bruins maintained the 1-0 lead. The lead did not last long as Brandon Hagel tied the game with his career high 36^th goal of the season and it could not have come at a better time.

Stealing another win on the road

Half the period remained with Tampa leading shots on net 20 to 14. At this point it was anybody's game, but the energy was ramping up with both teams vying for the win. The aggression would not stop as the final frame of regulation was on deck. With just under 2 minutes remaining Emil Lilleberg buried the rebound past Swayman to give Tampa the late 2-1 lead. This prompted the Bruins to pull Swayman to get the extra attacker on. Of course, there would be late game drama with Hagel sent off for an interference penalty with 36 seconds left. In conclusion, Tampa Bay held on to win the game 2-1 and finally end the losing streak in the process.

Up Next

Next on the schedule the Lightning return home with two games remaining in the regular season. They will host the Detroit Red Wings Monday night as they look to lock up home ice advantage for at least the first round of the playoffs.

Three stars of the game

1st star: Emil Lilleberg - Game-winning goal

2nd star: Andrei Vasilevskiy - Saved 19 of 20 shots faced

3rd star: Brandon Hagel - 1 goal