New Years brings cheers with winning streak extending to six games

Graphic Credit: Mike Smith | Thunderstruck Sports

New Year's Day ended in celebration for Tampa Bay after an eventful final few minutes sealed a hard-earned victory, keeping the win streak rolling in California. J.J. Moeser would pick up his 100th career point and a day after Jon Cooper's 1,00th game, this game would be the 1,000th for video coach Brian Garlock.

Inexplainable beginning

New Years showdown began quietly until Anze Kopitar was called for tripping nearly three minutes in. Tampa wasted no time on the power play with Nikita Kucherov passing the puck to Brayden Point who had an open net to shoot at. Point scores to give the Lightning a 1-0 lead which would not last for much longer. Soon after, Jeff Malott scored his third of the season off a turnover to tie the game 1-1. Then, the Kings went on the power play with Max Crozier sent off for holding. Disaster continued to strike for the Lightning with Los Angeles taking the lead on the power play with a goal from Andrei Kuzmenko. What was a promising start soon headed South with no explanation as to why.

Kings hold on to the lead

Kings were doing a great job keeping the puck in the Lightning zone but could not generate as many scoring chances as they would like. Eventually, Tampa would get the puck out of their zone more looking to even the score before the period ends. One thing is for certain; the team was not fatigued after last night's overtime thriller. Kings continued their aggression, but Jonas Johansson was able to stop their efforts keeping it a one goal game. On the other end, Darcy Kuemper stopped an odd man rush by the Bolts to keep the score 2-1 and that would remain the score when the period ended.

Struggling to generate chances offensively

Starting off, Kings kept the same pressure on the defense as they did for a majority of the first period. That pressure would not yield a goal, and Tampa would have to execute the puck better to cool off the pressure. Lightning did not have much time in the offensive zone in the early stages, and the Kings were playing more physical making it harder to obtain possession of the puck. Surprisingly, both teams only registered a single shot on goal each with half the period to go.

Point keeps on producing

Lightning started to show signs of life in the second half of the period finally forcing Kuemper to make saves to prevent rebounds. Eventually, Kings went on the power play with 5:48 to go in what has been an uneventful period. Declan Carlile was guilty of a trip, and the penalty kill went to work for only the second time. This time the Bolts killed off the penalty with a little over three minutes left in the period. At last, a goal was finally scored this one also coming from Point who now has 11 points in 13 games, but more importantly ties the game for Tampa Bay. Even though they were outplayed, Tampa found a way to tie the game setting up for what should be an exciting third period.

Surrendering the lead yet again

In the opening minute LA nearly scores but receive a power play with Darren Raddysh sent off for cross checking. On said power play a failed clear allows Kevin Fiala to score and give the Kings the 3-2 lead. This was the first time this season the Kings have scored multiple power play goals in a game. La nearly added to their lead on a breakaway but Johansson was able to keep it out of harm's way. Lightning was playing very sloppy and that allowed Los Angeles to regain the lead and maintain control. However, Tampa would get a power play with Drew Doughty sent off for interference. LA killed off the penalty keeping the score 3-2 Kings.

Let the New Years craziness begin

Would New Years Day end in frustration or in joy like it did last night? Tampa Bay had to play smarter in order to try and tie up the game or hopefully eventually take the lead. Again, Tampa's offense was firing up, and they needed to now more than ever tonight. The Kings defense have been doing a great job keeping the Bolts in check which is why this game continues to be close as the final minutes approach. Anthony Cirelli went into the paint, had the puck come his way, and fired the puck past Kuemper to tie the game late in the period. Kings would take a timeout to possibly challenge the goal for interference but decided not to challenge the call and play went on. Gage Goncalves then gave the Bolts a commanding 4-3 lead and the momentum they were craving with his fourth of the season.

One last stop on the California road trip

With a minute left the Kings net was left empty and Kucherov says thank you very much with a smart play to get the empty net goal and tuck this game to bed. Lightning win the New Years showdown 5-3 and extend the winning streak to six games. After the final whistle a scrum ensued and during that scrum Corey Perry and Yanni Gourde shared a tilt that really did not last long. Lightning wrap up the road trip on Saturday as the head to the shark tank to face the sneaky Sharks in San Jose.

Three Stars of the Game

1st star: Brayden Point - 2 goals

2nd star: Nikita Kucherov - 1 goal and 2 assists

3rd star: Corey Perry - 3 assists