The Tampa Bay Lightning lost 5-1 on Monday night against the Buffalo Sabres. Tampa Bay has now lost three straight games for a record of 2-3-1 on the season. Meanwhile, Buffalo continues their surprising start to the season with a 4-1-1 record.
Game Recap
Less than two minutes into the game, Victor Olofsson scored to make the score 1-0 Buffalo. Just prior to halfway through the period, Tampa Bay got onto the scoresheet for the first time. This was not for a goal, instead, it was a pair of roughing penalties split among the two teams. The Lightning also got a power play in the first period but they were not able to score. To end the period, Alex Killorn tapped in a rebound to tie the game at one a piece after one.
In the middle frame, Tampa Bay got another power play chance. Despite having a man advantage, the Bolts could not score once again. To end the second period, Drake Caggiula scored with thirty-eight seconds left to make the game 2-1 Sabres. The Lightning outshot Buffalo 11-3 in the second but could not score.
Just under five minutes into the third, Vinnie Hinostroza extended Buffalo’s lead to two with a goal. Nearly five minutes later, Erik Cernak took another penalty. Thankfully for Tampa Bay, the Sabres could not extend their lead on the power play. Once again, to end the game, Jon Cooper pulled the goalie with over five minutes left. Similar to the season opener, this tactic resulted in the goal margin only increasing. Robert Hagg and Victor Olofsson each scored empty net goals to win the game 5-1.
Up Next:
On Tuesday night, the Tampa Bay Lightning play the Pittsburgh Penguins in Pittsburgh for the second game of a back-to-back. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 PM EST.