Shootout Win Rescues Bolts After Third Period Collapse
- Michelle Gordon
- Dec 28, 2025
- 3 min read
The Lightning faced off today against the Montreal Canadiens. For the Bolts, it was going to be a challenge coming off a physically exhausting game against the Florida Panthers last night. The Canadiens, meanwhile, were a well-rested team, having not played since December 23rd (5 days ago). The Bolts looked solid for two periods, but the fatigue factor kicked in for the third. Tampa Bay almost held on for a regulation win, but Montreal scored with 3.8 seconds remaining in regulation to send it to overtime. Fortunately, the Lightning recovered and got the win in the shootout to secure the two points.
Penalties A-Plenty
The Lightning took a total of 9 penalties last night, which is the equivalent of spending almost a full period of hockey on the penalty kill. And in the first period today, they were, once again, guilty of taking too many penalties.
The Canadiens vastly outplayed the Bolts in the first period. Montreal got three power plays in the period and outshot the Lightning 9-3. The Lightning need to thank Jonas Johansson for the fact that this one was scoreless after twenty minutes.
Kuch Keeps It Going
Nikita Kucherov scored two goals against the Panthers last night, and he kept that hot streak going today. Just 2:28 into the middle frame, the Bolts seemed to be struggling in their own end. Somehow, Gage Goncalves found Nikita Kucherov, and Kuch found himself with a breakaway. He made no mistake, notching his 16th of the season to open the scoring.
Just about ten minutes later, Kuch would strike again! This time, Brayden Point served it up. Goaltender Jacob Fowler made the initial save, but Kucherov found a rebound and snapped it home for his second straight two-goal game.
You Never Forget Your First
Two and a half minutes later, the Lightning would extend the lead off another juicy rebound. This time, it was Nick Paul batting it home for his fourth of the season. Oliver Bjorkstrand got the first assist, and Maxim Groshev (in his first NHL game) got the second assist for his first career NHL point.
Quick Goal Exchange to Start the Third
The Canadiens were fighting back to start the third period. It took them just 1:06 to break Johansson's shutout bid. Ivan Demidov scored his tenth of the season to pull Montreal within two.
But it took just 34 seconds for the Lightning to respond and restore the three-goal cushion. Pontus Holmberg scored for the second straight game. It was his sixth of the season on a tip-in from an Oliver Bjorkstrand shot.
Third Period Collapse
The Bolts were holding a comfortable three-goal lead. Until they weren't. At 9:40, Juraj Slafkovsky scored to make it 4-2. Montreal did not stop pressing. Noah Dobson scored at 12:17 to pull the Habs to within a goal.
They were all over the Lightning for the remainder of the game.
In the final minute, with goaltender Fowler pulled for the extra attacker, both Kucherov and Hagel missed chanced to put the game away, and the Canadiens tied the game with 3.8 seconds remaining in regulation.
To the Shootout We Go
Five minutes of overtime did not provide us with a winner tonight. The Habs dominated possession time for the first half of the OT and outshot the Bolts 2-1. For the second time this season, the Lightning went to a shootout.
In a surprise move, Coach Cooper sent Gage Goncalves out as the first shooter. Goncalves reward his coach's confidence with a goal. Ivan Demidov then tried for Montreal, but his shot missed on Johansson.
Next came Brayden Point. He scored. Johansson was a save away from securing the two points. Cole Caufield took that shot, and Johansson made that save.
The Bolts got the two points to move into first place in the Atlantic division for now (the Red Wings' game in currently underway).
Coach's Praise
It was not the best game of the season for the Lightning, and Coach Jon Cooper acknowledged that his team probably was not the better team for the full 60 minutes tonight. There definitely was a fatigue factor. However, Cooper did explain that they've left several games scratching their heads as to how they walked away with no points, so he'll certainly take the two points tonight.
Three Stars
Nikita Kucherov-- 2 goals for the second straight game
Juraj Slafkovsky-- 2 goals (including the tying goal), 1 assist for 3 points
Gage Goncalves-- 2 assists and a goal in the shootout
Up Next
The Bolts head out west for 3 games starting in Anaheim against the Ducks on Wednesday, December 31st. Scheduled start time is 4pm.
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