Lightning's Losing Streak Reaches Three Games in Minnesota

Riley Gillespie-Wilson | Thunderstruck Sports

Graphic Credit: Mike Smith | Thunderstruck Sports

The Tampa Bay Lightning saw their losing ways of late continue Tuesday night. Nikita Kucherov managed the only Tampa goal in the second period. It was Minnesota's night, though, as Quinn Hughes, Kirill Kaprizov, and goaltender Filip Gustavsson all had excellent games. 5-1 was the final in favor of the Wild.

The Bolts and Wild were both on mini two-game skids entering action Tuesday night. While not a lengthy losing streak for either side, both of these contending squads surely wanted to clean up their game as the stretch run towards the playoffs begins post-Olympics.

Head Coach Jon Cooper surely wasn't happy with the effort his team demonstrated in a 6-2 loss to the Buffalo Sabres on the weekend.

A strong start was likely on 'Coop's' wish-list to start this contest.

Early Goal Goes Wild's Way

While Tampa Bay didn't have a poor first period in general, the game began with a Quinn Hughes chance that was turned aside by Andrei Vasilevskiy.

Later, a one-time knuckler from Brock Faber beat the 'Big Cat' and it was 1-0 for home Minnesota at the 3:46 mark of the opening frame.

A big penalty kill that saw the Wild garner zero shots on goal seemed to add some wind to the Lightning's sails.

Two Bjorkstrand Chances Turned Aside

Oliver Bjorkstrand made his mark on this period but couldn't quite beat Minnesota starting netminder Filip Gustavsson.

First, a partial break from the blue-line in off a turnover was stymied by Gustavsson off the stick of Bjorkstrand. Another look for the Lightning forwad yielded the same result.

Close but No Cigar on Power Play

The Bolts had a power play of their own late in the period. A Darren Raddysh blast was also stopped by Gustavsson.

On the same man-advantage, a stick save on Brayden Point kept it 1-0 Wild.

The shots were 12-5 Tampa after 20 minutes. Nonetheless, it was 1-0 Minnesota. Certainly some positives to build off for the Bolts heading into the second.

Penalty-Riddled Start to Second Costs Bolts

The second period began with a barrage of penalties for both teams, though the edge in that not so sought-after category went to the Lightning.

In the end, the Wild were gifted some extended 4-on-3 time.

It was Mats Zuccarello's blast that beat Vasilevskiy to make it 2-0 Minnesota.

Bolts Find but Quickly Lose Legs

From there on in the Lightning struggled to find the net still, despite still outshooting the Wild to a 18-12 clip after two periods.

Finally, they broke through on some pretty passing finished off by Nikita Kucherov to get on the board with a handful of minutes left in the frame. That goal seemed to go to the Bolts' legs, who managed some zone time afterwards.

Just as quickly as things began to turn, however, a blunder by Vasilevskiy when he went to smother the puck led to a tap in for Minnesota.

It was 3-1 for the Wild after forty minutes. The Lightning would need to stage a two-goal comeback in the third to keep 'W' hopes alive.

More Penalties Fuel Wild to Eventual Fourth Goal

While Minnesota's early-third power play didn't score, they rung iron twice off a Darren Raddysh penalty and seemed to have full control as the third wore on.

Eventually, Quinn Hughes marched right down main street and put one home to make it 4-1 Wild.

Minnesota would add an empty-netter and take this one 5-1.

Three Stars of the Game

1. Quinn Hughes - MIN

2. Kirill Kaprizov - MIN

3. Filip Gustavsson - MIN

Up Next

The road trip continues in Winnipeg Thursday night at 8 p.m. ET. Then, the Bolts head to Toronto to take on the Leafs at 7 p.m. Saturday night.