The Tampa Bay Lightning beat the Toronto Maple Leafs 8-1 on Thursday night. With the win, Tampa Bay gives themselves a three point cushion to stay out of a wild card spot. Toronto, on the other hand, loses some ground on securing home ice for the first round. It is likely that the Leafs and Lightning will meet in round one of the NHL playoffs.
Game Recap
When you look at the score, you would think that Tampa Bay dominated from start to finish. However, no goals were scored in the first period and Toronto led in shots after one, 14-7. Each team got a full power play, while Toronto had one carry into the second period.
Alex Killorn had the first tally, 3:54 into the second period, making it 1-0 Lightning. Ross Colton would score just under eight minutes later, 2-0. Soon after, Jason Spezza was called for hooking, giving Tampa Bay a power play. Steven Stamkos scored from his office 13 seconds into the power play. This was his 954th point as a Bolt passing Martin St. Louis for most career points as part of the Lightning. Kucherov would score on another power play shortly after for a 4-0 lead. Another eight penalties would be called before the end of the period, all offsetting.
The third period began quick with a Ondrej Palat goal, making it 5-0. Not long after, Alex Killorn would score on the power play. With his 25th goal of the season, he is one away from a career best goal scoring season. Ilya Mikheyev would score the lone Toronto goal on a power play of their own, making it 6-1. A minute later, Ross Colton put an end to any Maple Leaf momentum with Tampa Bay’s seventh goal. The Lightning would complete the “two point conversion” with a Pat Maroon goal with just under six minutes left. 17 total penalties were taken in the third period limiting depth on the bench in the final period.
Despite winning 8-1, Toronto miraculously outshot Tampa Bay; they could not light the lamp, however.
FL Teams Star of the Game
Steven Stamkos had a goal and two assists including setting a franchise record in the 8-1 win. But, he is not the star of the game. Instead, it’s Andrei Vasilevskiy. The Big Cat stopped 36 out of 37 shots for a .973 save percentage.
Up Next
Tampa Bay will wrap up their homestand Saturday night against the Nashville Predators. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 PM EST.