By Jake Ricker
Notable Missing Players
TBL VGK
Kucherov (Injury) Pietrangelo (Injury)
Point (Injury) Lehner (Injury)
Cernak (Injury)
Jon Cooper (COVID)
Game Summary
1st Period
The Lightning knew they wanted to go into the Christmas break with a win, and they would have to do it without head coach Jon Cooper as he entered covid protocols. Both teams got off to a decent start picking up a chance each early. Vegas then began to pick up the pressure, but Vasy was ok his game and held them off. It would be the Lightning who struck first as Gabrial Fortier fired one home for his first NHL goal and a 1-0 lead.
Vegas would then get the first power play of the night against a Lightning penalty kill that had been struggling as of late. The Knights would cash in quickly as Mark stone deflected a shot in front of the net to tie the game at one.
Vegas controlled the pace of the game, and if it wasn't for vasy, Vegas could easily be leading by multiple goals. And that's how things would continue for the rest of the period. The lighting would then get a late power play that would carry over into the second with the game tied at one.
2nd Period
The Bolts couldn't get much going on the remaining power play time, and just as the penalty ended, the Bolts left Mark Stone wide open, and he put it right into the back of the net for a 2-1 lead.
The Lightning would then run into some equipment issues as Vasy would have to head to the locker room to get a problem sorted out. With that, Brian Elliott would enter the game for the Bolts. He would only stay in for a moment, though, as Vasy came right back.
Things would continue to go the wrong way for the Lightning as the Knights dominated this game. Shot after shot kept the Bolts on their heels, and the Kights would break through again, taking a 3-1 lead.
The Bolts would then finally start to get some chances, but it was still all Vegas late in the second period. But it didn't last long as The Lightning fought back. First, Perry found Bellemare in the slot who buried it pulling the Bolts within one. Then just seconds later, Anthony Cirelli worked the puck in front of the net and third the game at three.
3rd Period
The Lightning got off to the best start in this game. Vasy still had to make some big saves, and the Bolts had to kill off a penalty, but they still had a big chance to steal this game.
The Lightning would then get a chance to take the lead on the power play. Stamkos would do just that as he blasted one from his office for a 4-3 lead.
The Lightning had the momentum, but this game was far from over. Vegas and the Bolts kept pushing, and both picked up some quality chances. Vasy and The Bolts never looked back as they stopped anything Vegas threw their way to secure a 4-3 comeback win!
Game Stats
TBL VGK
19 Shots on Goal. 41
63 Face-off % 38
1/2 Power play 1/2
4 PIM 4
31 Hits 22
14 Blocks 16
3 Giveaways 4
Our Three Stars
1. Vasilevskiy (33 SV)
2. Stone (2G)
3. Stamkos (1G)
Media's Three Stars
1. Vasilevskiy (33 SV)
2. Stone (2G)
3. Theodore (2A)
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