By Michael Wax
Lightning triumph in second half of back-to-back, move to 4-4-0.
The Lightning had three lineup changes heading into the game, with defenseman Phillippe Myers and forward Cole Koepke replacing defensemen Haydn Fleury and Cal Foote in the lineup. Brian Elliott replaced Andrei Vasilevskiy in the starters' net.
1st Period
The Lightning controlled the early pace of the game, generating chances and forcing Ducks goaltender John Gibson to make some big saves. Ultimately, the Ducks were the ones to break the ice. Victor Hedman held the puck for too long, and Ducks forward Troy Terry caused a turnover. At the blue line, Dmitry Kulikov fired a cross-crease pass over to forward Trevor Zegras, who buried the one-timer to give the Ducks a 1-0 lead.
The Lightning were able to tie the game with just under three minutes remaining in the frame. After captain Steven Stamkos entered the zone, and passed it over to Mikhail Sergachev. Sergachev took a shot, and gave the rebound to Nick Paul. Paul and defenseman Nick Perbix passed it back and forth before Sergachev got the puck back off a backhand feed from Paul. Sergachev turned and fired home a shot past the glove of Gibson to tie the game.
For Sergachev, it was his first goal of the season. Paul picked up his second assist of the season, and Perbix got his first NHL point with the secondary assist.
The Lightning took the lead just 1:26 later. Philippe Myers saved the puck at the blue line in what could've been a potential 2-on-1 for Anaheim. He found Hedman at the top of the left circle, and Hedman feathered a beautiful pass over to Kucherov for the one-timer.
For Kucherov, it was his second goal of the season and second in as many games. Hedman picked up his sixth assist of the season, and Myers' secondary assist was his first point in a Lightning uniform.
2nd Period
The Lightning continued to push the pace in the second period, but Anaheim would score the only goal of the period. Philippe Myers fanned out the breakout pass, then missed a second opportunity to clear. Troy Terry took the puck off him, and fired the puck past Elliott for his fourth of the season to tie the game.
3rd Period
Before the Lightning were able to take the lead, they needed to hold the fort. Even though Brian Elliott didn't have his number called on many occasions in this game, he was ready, including a beautiful two pad stack save at the end of the Ducks power play.
With under five to play, the Lightning got a power play of their own. With the second unit out there, Ross Colton had the puck to the right of the right faceoff dot. He dropped it back to Sergachev at the blue line, who gave it right on over to Hagel. Hagel walked right to the top of the left faceoff dot before firing a shot over the glove of Elliott to give the Lightning their first lead in over two games.
Hagel scored for his third consecutive game, giving him three goals on the year. Sergachev picked up his sixth assist, and Colton got his third assist.
Nick Paul would seal the deal with an empty net goal with less than two seconds remaining in regulation, his second goal of the season. Hedman picked up the only assist, his second of the game and seventh of the season.
Three Stars
1. Hagel (TBL): Game-winning goal
2. Terry (ANA): 1 Goal, 1 Assist
3. Stamkos (TBL): 1 Hit
The Lightning's next game will be against the San Jose Sharks on Saturday October 29, at 4:30 PM ET.
Want to start your journalism career by writing about the Tampa Bay Lightning? Send us a message via our contact form located in the upper right-hand corner under the more tab, or send us a message via Twitter to get started.
Komentáře