Struggles Continue for Tampa Bay as Bolts Lose to Carolina

Graphic by Mike Smith | Thunderstruck Sports

The struggles continue for the Tampa Bay Lightning. Tonight, they dropped their seventh of ten games since the Olympic break. Once again, they found themselves trailing early. From the first shift, Carolina looked like the better team. The Bolts made a game of it, but as has happened several times since the break, the third period did them in.

Struggles From Opening Puck Drop

In their previous two meetings, the Tampa Bay Lightning had spotted the Carolina Hurricanes a 3-0 lead. So, it was important for them to start on time tonight and not have to chase the game. Unfortunately, it did not go well. The Lightning struggles began with the opening puck drop. Carolina had a jump in their step from the first shift and almost scored twice before the puck actually went in just over 30 seconds into the game. Andrei Svechnikov got his 24^th of the season. The Canes had numerous chances before the Lightning managed to get a few chances of their own and eventually even up the shot clock. But at 17:31, Carolina doubled its lead as Sebastian Aho notched his 24^th of the season on a rebound, and the visitors took a 2-0 lead to the locker room after twenty minutes.

A Second Period Comeback

The Bolts looked hungrier to start the second period. They came out strong with much more energy than they’d shown to start the first period. However, they still were not finding the back of the net. After a few minutes, Carolina seemed to take back control of the game. They applied consistent offensive zone pressure.

Just past the 14-minute mark, the Lightning got on the board. Victor Hedman sent Yanni Gourde in on a breakaway. Goude had been in a scoring drought, but he made no mistake on this one. He blistered a perfect shot past Freddie Andersen for his eighth of the season to cut the Carolina lead in half.

And just a minute and 21 seconds later, Lightning would strike again. This time, Brayden Point set up Charle-Edouard D’Astous who buried his fourth of the season to tie the game at 2-2.

Third Period Struggles Continue

The Bolts have had a few comebacks since the Olympic break. But each time they have gone into the third period tied, they have suffered a regulation loss. Tonight was no exception. It took almost half the period for the Lightning to even get a shot on net. When they finally did get a chance, it was a good one. But somehow, they could not find the back of the net.

The hurricanes went the other way and Jordan Martinook's shot from an impossible angle deflected off Victor Hedman and into the net.

The Canes added the empty netter for the 4-2 final.

Three Stars

1. Andrei Svechnikov-- 1 goal, 1 assist

2. Sebastian Aho-- 1 goal, 1 assist

3. Charle Edouard D'Astous-- game tying goal in the second period

Up Next

The Bolts will hit the road for a 4-game trip beginning Tuesday night in Seattle. Game is scheduled for 10pm EST.