Vasilevskiy carries Tampa Bay to 11th straight victory in Pittsburgh

Graphic Credit: Mike Smith | Thunderstruck Sports

Andrei Vasilevskiy displayed why he is one of the best goalies in the league helping the Lightning keep the winning streak alive. It would take a while for a goal to be scored and when one was, it happened on an odd play. A battle of the goaltenders was showcased tonight with a little bit of chaos to make what was an underwhelming game become an exciting one.

Uneventful beginning

Game began with the fourth line getting the first amount of ice time. Did not take long for a penalty to be called with Nikita Kucherov sent off for tripping in the opening minutes. Lightning easily killed off the penalty and never really gave up a prime scoring opportunity. Afterwards, Tampa Bay continued to move the puck well enough to keep constant pressure on Pittsburgh's defense. Midway through the period the game remained scoreless with nothing much to speak of. There was a great flow to the game with both teams nearly even on shots on goal.

Another penalty on Kucherov

Then, with five minutes left Pittsburgh nearly opens up the scoring put the puck rang off the iron and away from the net. However, Kucherov again was called for tripping, and the Penguins went on the power play for a second time this period. This time the Penguins executed the puck better on this power play, but Vasilevskiy was able to bail out the defense and keep the game scoreless. He then made a pad save as time expired in the period with the game still scoreless.

Losing Cernak for a bit

Early on, Penguins applied the same pressure they showed in the later stages of the first period. Yet another penalty for tripping was called on Tampa Bay this time it was Erik Cernak. Unfortunately, he was injured on the same play and would head to the locker room. Yet again, the penalty was killed off, and the Penguins could not answer Vasilevskiy. Eventually, Tampa Bay would be awarded their first power play of the evening with the game still scoreless with 10:20 to go.

Still no goals but Cernak returns

On the power play Darren Raddysh nearly scored but it rang off the iron and away from the net. Tampa's best chances came on the man advantage but could not find one past Arturs Silovs. Following the power play the Lightning went right back on it with Sidney Crosby booked for elbowing. Penguins killed off the penalty as that has been the theme for both teams tonight. On the bright side, Cernak did return to the bench and was back on the ice. Another period in the books with no goals scored yet again.

Confusing everyone with the penalties

Third period went on and as expected no goals were scored in the early stages, but some good opportunities were had. The question now is who would score first or would this go to overtime. Tensions rose after Connor Clifton hit Brandon Hagel into the boards. Anthony Cirelli retaliated and dropped the gloves with Clifton. After a very confusing review Cirelli and Clifton are given a major for fighting, Clifton was given another 5 for boarding, and Cirelli was given a minor for instigating and a 10-minute misconduct penalty.

Finally, a goal is scored

Eventually, the Lightning ended up on the power play with all the chaos sorted out with no further explanation given by the official confusing both benches. To make matters worse not even the score clocks throughout the arena were posting the power correctly. 5-on-5 would resume as neither team could still find the back of the net. Play would calm down a bit before the craziness continued with 5 and a half to go. Silovs saved the puck and kept it nearby thinking a whistle would be blown but that was not the case. Aware of the situation J.J. Moser slipped the puck through Silovs and give the Lightning a 1-0 lead.

Overtime is forced, Vasilevskiy and Kucherov to the rescue

With 3:17 to go, Pittsburgh leaves the net open hoping to send this game to overtime. Jake Guentzel lost the puck which the Penguins took advantage of allowing Evgeni Malkin to tie the game in the final minutes. That goal was enough to force overtime after a chaotic end to regulation. No face offs occurred in overtime in what was the Vasilevskiy show. Miraculously, Vasy prevented the Penguins winning the game in overtime and sent the game to the shootout. All in all, Kucherov scored in the third round of the shootout to give the Lightning the 2-1 win and extend the winning streak to 11 games tying the franchise record. Next on the road trip the team travels to St. Louis to face the Blues Friday night.

Three Stars of the Game

First star: Andrei Vasilevskiy - Saved 26 of 27 shots faced

Second star: J.J. Moser - 1 goal

Third star: Artus Silvos - Saved 30 of 31 shots faced