Lightning Implode in Ottawa

Graphic Credit: Mike Smith | Thunderstruck Sports

By Dan Herrejon | Thunderstruck Sports

As the Tampa Bay Lightning play their last five games of the regular season, having already clinched their playoff spot, Tuesday’s game in Ottawa has some significance. Mostly dealing with the health of their players.

For the Ottawa Senators, the significance of this game is quite different. They are currently holding the eighth and final Eastern Conference playoff spot. The second wild card. There are three teams within two points of Ottawa’s 90 points.

One team is playing for their health as the grind of the playoffs is upon us. The other is playing for their playoff lives.

Walking Wounded

The Lightning are already focused on health, as three starters could not lace them up for this game. Anthony Cirelli, Brandon Hagel, and Pontus Holmberg are sitting this out due to various injuries.

Called up from Syracuse to fill in were Jakob Pelletier, Conor Geekie, and Dylan Duke. If the cliché of “next man up” was to be accurate, these three Crunch mates would play important roles. Since they played Monday night, the Lightning were starting Jonas Johansson in net against Ottawa. Linus Ullmark is between the pipes for the Senators.

In the first period, the Lightning were the quicker team, winning many of the puck battles. This led to Tampa winning much of the offensive zone time. The Bolts outshot the Senators 11 to 7 in the opening period.

While both teams had good scoring chances, both goalies stopped every shot they saw

Great Defense or Ineffective Offense

The second period was a carbon copy of the first. Both teams had some scoring chances, but both goalies were up to the task of keeping the pucks out of the nets. While both defenses were playing well, the scoreless tie was also due to both offenses being out of sync.

 As the period passed the 15-minute mark, the game’s first goal was scored. Ottawa’s Jordan Spence blasted a wicked wrist shot past Johansson to give the Senators a 1 – 0 lead.

Less than three minutes later, with less than two minutes remaining in the period, the Lightning answered with a goal of their own. Former Senator Nick Paul lifted a nifty back-handed shot past Ullmark to tie the game at one.

Now, as we head for the final regulation period, the Lightning are looking to escape with a healthy game roster, though a win would be nice. The Senators are in a position to get two points for the win to help solidify their tenuous playoff spot.

Final Outcome Not In Lightning's Favor

As the third period began, the Lightning, playing without three starting forwards, had to be happy. Tied at one on the road with a chance to win the game. They came out of the second intermission intent on making that happen.

They were peppering the Senators’ defense and goalie with their play and puck possession, but failed to break the tie. Despite the Tampa push, Ottawa broke the tie. Fabian Zetterlund slapped a shot from the point, and not only was Erik Cernak out of position, but the shot also hit him and changed trajectory as he blew past Johansson to give Ottawa a 2 – 1 lead.

Down one goal, but the Lightning still had over 17 minutes to get the tie or win. Again, the Bolts started taking it to the home team. Getting good looks but again failing to score. Again, Ottawa took advantage of a defensive misplay. J.J. Moser took the wrong angle on Jake Sanderson and allowed him to go in on Johansson. Sanderson backhanded a soft shot that slid through Johansson’s five-hole. Now down two goals, the Lightning still had 15 minutes to change the game’s outcome.

At the halfway point of the period, the Lightning pulled within one on a goal by Corey Perry. Ryan McDonagh hit Perry at the side of the net with a bullet pass that Perry lifted top shelf. This made the game 3 – 2 Ottawa with half a period to go. Anything can happen.

Then the bottom fell out. First Tim Stutzle skated in as a mad scramble in front of the Lightning net squirted out the puck. Stutzle jumped on the puck and lifted it past a prone Johansson, making it 4 – 2 in Ottawa’s favor. Coach Jon Cooper challenged that goal, stating Johansson was interfered with by the Senators. The challenge failed, and the goal stood.

Still reeling, the Lightning committed another misplay on defense, allowing Sanderson to go in again all alone on Johansson. Boom! Just like that, Ottawa was up 5 -2. Sanderson was apparently wearing his invisible suit when getting two unchallenged attempts on Johansson, accounting for both his goals.

Cooper had to resort to the desperate measure of pulling his goalie with five minutes left on the clock. It didn’t work. Stuart Pinto scored an empty netter to make the final score 6 – 2 for the home team.

Three Stars

1. Linus Ullmark - Senators goalie stopped 28 of 30 shots for a .933 save percentage

2. Nick Paul - 1 goal and 1 assist

3. Corey Perry - 1 goal and 1 assist

What's Next

Thursday night, the road trip continues in Montreal. Puck drops at 7:00 pm