By Jake Ricker
Game Summary
1st Period
The Blues got off to the better start early in this game as they outshot the Lightning early. However, it was Palat who would open the scoring for the Lightning to give them an early 1-0 lead.
Both teams then picked up their fair share of chances, but neither team would be Abel to find the back of the net. A much different scenario from when the Lightning pilled it on in their last game against the Blues.
The Bolts would get a late power play, but the Blues successfully killed it off, giving the Lightning a 1-0 lead after 20 minutes of hockey.
2nd Period
Neither team would come out of the gate strong In the second, with both teams getting chances on either end of the ice. However, The Blues would pick up a power play early in the period. Luckily the Lightning killed this one off and still head a one-goal lead.
The Blues would then get another chance on the man advantage, and this time they would capitalize as Brandon Saad found the back of the net to tie the game up at 1-1.
Bolts fans would get to witness why Vasilevskiy is still one of the best goaltenders in the NHL, as I made a plethora of saves to keep the game tied. Including a breakaway save that came just after a Lightning power play.
Despite a few good chances, the Bolts would head into the third tied 1-1.
3rd Period
With the Third period having been an issue for the Lightning recently, many Bolts fans were rightfully concerned. Luckily though, just a few minutes into the game, Anthony Cirelli would capitalize on a power-play opportunity to give the Bolts a 2-1 lead.
Unfortunately, the Lightning continued to struggle to stay out of the box, and the Blues would get another chance on the power play to tie this game up. And that's exactly what they did as Paul Buchnevich got one past Vasilevskiy and tied the game by a score of 2-2.
The tie wouldn't last long, though, as Victor Hedman, who had taken the penalty that led to the tying goal, decided he had enough and fired one home to give the Bolts a 3-2 lead.
Hedman wasn't done yet, though, as just two minutes later, he walked right in front of the net and buried his second of the night to give the Lightning a 4-2 lead.
The Blues would get one last power play, but the Bolts would kill it off and hold on to win this one and take home a much-needed two points.
Game Stats
TBL STL
35 Shots on Goal. 28
54 Face-off % 45
1/3 Power play 2/4
8 PIM 6
25 Hits 23
9 Blocks 22
3 Giveaways 0
3 Takeaways 7
Our Three Stars
1. Hedman (TBL)
2. Vasilevskiy (TBL)
3. Cirelli (TBL)
Media's Three Stars
1. Hedman (TBL)
2. Cirelli (TBL)
3. Thomas (STL)
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