Lightning Back in the Win Column with a Key Victory over Detroit

Photo Credit: Alyssa Shimko | Thunderstruck Sports

The Bolts focused on important keys to the game to win an important divisional match-uptonight. The boys stayed out of the penalty box, held to their defensive structure, and held a third period lead for their first win since the Olympic break over a team not named the Toronto Maple Leafs.

A Desperation Game

The Tampa Bay Lightning were desperate for a win tonight. As much of the hockey world knows, the Bolts had dropped six of their eight games since returning from the Olympic break. Their opponent tonight was also desperate, as the Detroit Red Wings are currently clinging to the top wild card spot in the Eastern Conference by the slimmest of margins. Both teams have won just four out of their last ten games.

Keys to the Game

The Lightning knew the important keys to this game. They knew that one key to getting back into the win column was a return to their tight defensive structure. In the first period, the Bolts did stick to their structure for the most part. They allowed the Wings just 5 shots on net through the first 20 minutes.

Other keys involved special teams. The Lightning definitely did not want to take as many penalties as they had in previous games. They did take an early penalty in the opening frame, and the penalty kill came through nicely to neutralize that chance. They did not take any more penalties for the rest of the period, and as the period was winding down, they were awarded a power play of their own.

Special Teams Remain Key

The Lightning had 1:47 seconds remaining on the power play to begin the second period. They needed just 49 seconds. Corey Perry found Nikita Kucherov who found Jake Guentzel streaking in. Guentzel rifled it past John Gibson to give the Bolts a 1-0 lead.

Neither team took a penalty for the remainder of the game.

However, the Lightning did struggle to maintain their defensive structure. The Red Wings were getting takeaways, odd-man rushes, and sustained offensive zone time. One particularly challenging shift saw Ryan McDonagh on the ice for 3:53, and defensive partner Darren Raddysh unable to get off the ice for a whopping 4:07! However, Vasilevskiy was up to the challenge on every opportunity.

Holding a Lead (the Final Key)

The Bolts took a lead into the third period. They held a record of 27-1-0 when leading after 40 minutes. That one loss was to the Vancouver Canucks back in November. They did blow a third period lead to the Buffalo Sabres on Sunday evening, but in that game, they had gone into the third period tied before taking a lead. The Lightning would double their advantage early in the third as Gage Goncalves tipped in Brayden Point’s shot for his 9^th of the season just 1:35 in.

But Detroit fought back. J.T. Compher scored his 9^th of the season at 7:05 to once again pull the Wings to within a goal. However, that was as close as Detroit would come.

The Wings got their chances, including a great opportunity where the goalpost was Vasilevskiy's best friend.

With just about 3 and a half minutes remaining, Gage Goncalves struck again to bring his season goal total to double digits. Point and Kucherov got the assists bringing Kucherov to 1,100 total career points. Detroit quickly pulled the goaltender for the extra attacker, and Jake Guentzel quickly made them pay for that decision, scoring into the empty net to give the Bolts a 4-1 victory. Make it 28-1-0 when the Lightning take a lead into the third period!

Updating the Standings

Tampa Bay remains in second place in the Atlantic division with 84 points through 64 games. The Buffalo Sabres (who lost late in regulation) remain in first with 86 points having played two additional games (66). Montreal remains third with 82 points in 64 games.

Both Eastern Conference wild card teams suffered losses tonight as the Red Wings and Bruins both suffered regulation losses. The Columbus Blue Jackets draw slightly closer to that coveted wild card spot as they gained one point with an overtime loss to the Panthers. They are within a point of the Bruins and within two points of Detroit with a game in hand on the Wings.

Three Stars

1. Gage Goncalves-- 2 goals including the game winner

2. Jake Guentzel-- the other 2 goals

3. Andrei Vasilevskiy-- stopped 24 of 25 shots for his 30th win of the season

Up Next

The home-stand wraps up Saturday night as the Bolts host the conference leading Carolina Hurricanes. Game is scheduled for 7pm.