Lack of offense leads to another overtime loss on the road trip

Before the game began the team announced Nikita Kucherov would miss tonight's game with an illness. As it turns out the team would miss his presence with the offense struggling to score until late in the third period. For a second consecutive game overtime was needed and the result was one the Lightning were not hoping for.

Starting off, Tampa's offense maintained control for the opening minute of the game but could not generate any opportunities. Detroit would then force a turnover and get a breakaway from it, but Andrei Vasilevskiy made the save. Red Wings would continue to go on the offensive and keep pressure on the Lightning defense. Five minutes had gone by, and Tampa Bay had yet to register a shot on goal. With 11:07 left in the period the Bolts received the first power play of the night hoping to get the offense going and take the lead. Instead, it was a lack luster power play with the game still scoreless midway through the opening frame.

Afterwards, there was a delayed penalty that would have put Detroit on the power play but instead the Red Wings scored. Axel Sandin-Pellikka scored his first career goal off a deflected puck that there was no chance in saving. Eventually, Lightning would start firing pucks on net and had some chances to tie the game. First period ended with the score remaining 1-0 in favor of Detroit who also were outshooting the Lightning 12 to 6.

Tampa's third power play of the night came with 4:44 left which was drawn by Brayden Point. However, the drought carried on with John Gibson and the Red Wings defense silencing anything the Bolts tried to do. Soon after the power play expired Cirelli is sent off for slashing giving Detroit their second power play of the period. Yet again, Vasy continues to prevent a puck from going through and the period ended with no goals to and the Red Wings keeping the 1-0 lead.

Same old song and dance to kick off the third period and the Lightning penalty kill would go to work early. Detroit nearly scored on the power play but as it's been for most of the game, Vasy is saving this game from getting out of hand as is Gibson. Second half of the period is when Tampa's offense showed the most life all game and eventually, they were rewarded. For the first time since last October J.J. Moser tied the game with 3:43 to go and the game went to overtime.

Overtime was more of a chess match after some solid chances on both sides of the ice to begin 3-on-3. Neither team wanted to overcommit and cause a crucial turnover that could have ended the game. All in all, it was the Red Wings who came out on top with Dylan Larkin being the hero in overtime. Victor Hedman missed the puck from Jake Guentzel which allowed Larkin to go the other way and extend Detroit's win streak to 4 games. For the Lightning it was their second consecutive loss in overtime and will have no time to rest as they head to Columbus to face the Blue Jackets tomorrow night.

Three stars of the night

1st Star: Dylan Larkin - Game-winning goal in overtime

2nd Star: John Gibson - Saved 31 of 32 shots faced

3rd Star: Andrei Vasilevskiy - Saved 29 of 31 shots faced