Fresh off Thursday night’s comeback win that clinched a playoff spot, the Tampa Bay Lightning offense seemed to have turned a corner entering Saturday night’s game against the Winnipeg Jets. It took time but that showed in a 7-4 victory.
Game Recap
Period 1
Coming off a poor effort in a 6-1 loss to the Florida Panthers 24 hours ago, the Jets were ready to go from the outset. Paul Stastny scored less than a minute in to give Winnipeg an early 1-0 lead.
About five minutes later, Adam Lowry laid a big hit on Nikita Kucherov when he didn’t have the puck. That not only earned him an interference penalty but also a fight with Zach Bogosian.
The ensuing power play saw the Lightning work the puck around before Alex Killorn tipped a Steven Stamkos shot past Connor Hellebuyck to tie things at one. It looked to be in doubt momentarily but after review the goal stood.
Less than eight minutes later, Kyle Connor got a step on a Bolts defender and was off to the races. His backhander beat Brian Elliott to give the Jets a 2-1 lead.
With under two minutes remaining in the first period, Pierre-Edouard Bellemare fired a shot from the side boards to once again tie the game, this time at two.
Period 2
Entering the middle period, the Lightning needed to stick to their structure and play solid defense. The Jets had other ideas though. They pressured Tampa Bay into turning the puck over and then cashed in on their opportunity.
A 2 on 1 resulted in Josh Morrissey beating Elliott to give Winnipeg a 3-2 lead. The goal was challenged for offsides but the call stood. As a result, the Bolts were assessed a delay of game penalty.
Late in the power play, Blake Wheeler deflected Neal Pionk’s shot past Elliott to give the Jets a two goal lead at 4-2.
Three minutes later, Corey Perry dropped the gloves with Zach Sanford. That started to turn the game around, as Nick Paul scored to pull the Lightning within one less than two minutes later.
Pionk then upended Ross Colton in the offensive zone and both Colton and Bogosian went over to express their displeasure with the hit. Both Bogosian and Pionk were sent to the box so we skated 4-on-4.
With two minutes remaining in the second, Kucherov scored to tie the game at four apiece.
Period 3
Staring at a tie game after 40 minutes, the Lightning knew things could go in one of two directions. They had to make sure their two goal comeback wasn’t a fluke.
Captain Steven Stamkos made sure it wasn’t, cutting into the slot and then firing a shot over the glove of Hellebuyck for a 5-4 lead.
Nearly four minutes later, Kucherov scored his second of the game to make it 6-4.
Mikhail Sergachev finished the offensive onslaught five minutes later for a final score of 7-4.
Game Notes
- Victor Hedman registered four points in this game, marking his second four point game of this season.
- With two points, Steven Stamkos moved within three points of tying Martin St. Louis for the franchise lead in points.
- The win gave Tampa Bay 100 points for the fifth time in their past nine seasons.
- The Lightning scored seven goals for the fourth time this season. It was the first time it happened on Amalie Arena ice, though.
Up Next
After two comeback wins, the Lightning look to keep their mojo going as they welcome in a much improved Detroit Red Wings team on Tuesday night, April 19. Puck drop is set for 7pm EST.