By Michael Wax
The Lightning took on the Winnipeg Jets, as both teams were on the second half of a back-to-back. Steven Stamkos stayed in the lineup despite leaving the previous game early, while Darren Raddysh replaced Zach Bogosian on defense. Here are a few things we noticed from the win.
2nd Line Carried
When we look at the second line of Brandon Hagel, Anthony Cirelli, and Alex Killorn, the main assumption is that its a defensive specialist line. In this game against Winnipeg, the second line served as the driving force on the offensive side as well. The line played a total of 8:40 together, and generated a Corsi For % of 71.43. Their .29 expected goals for ranked first among all lines, and their 80% Fenwick For % was first among lines that played more than three minutes together (all stats via Natural Stat Trick). Killorn picked up the opening goal of the game 5-on-5, while Cirelli got the Lightning's other goal shorthanded, and Hagel contributed on both. The line split up later due to an injury that kept Cirelli out for the remainder of the game, but when they were together, they were great.
What is Goalie Interference?
For real, what is it? NHL fans have no clue, and neither do the refs if we're being honest. As the Jets found their way into the zone with a 2-1 lead, their initial shot caused Vasilevskiy to fall over on his own. As Morgan Barron deposited the puck into the open net on the rebound Brandon Dillion makes it impossible for Vasilevskiy to even attempt to get back into position. By definition, that is goaltender interference. Not only was it not called on the ice, but the challenge was unsuccessful as well.
Mikey E
Tanner Jeannot was thew talk of the deadline in the Bay Area, and rightfully so, but Mikey Eyssimont is holding his own as the other addition the Lightning made. With Pierre-Édouard Bellemare currently out with a lower-body injury, Eyssimont is bringing a new wrinkle to the forth line that has been sorely missing for the majority of the season. Eyssioment's individual Corsi For % of 73..33 was third overall and second among forwards, while he generated .38 Expected Goals For while also only surrendering .08 Expected Goals Against.
If the Lightning are going to make a big push late in the regular season and into the playoffs, everyone is going to need to buy in. Eyssimont is setting the example.
Final Thoughts
Overall the Lightning played very well, outshooting and out-chancing the Jets all game long. They led in expected goals all game, and had four goalposts hit as well. At the end of the day, Connor Hellebuyck was just a little bit better than Andrei Vasilevskiy, and the roadtrip ends on a bit of a sour note because of that.
With three of their next four games against the Devils, the Lightning might need a big-time effort from their entire forward core to keep pace, especially without the possibility of Anthony Cirelli.
Three Stars
Media’s three stars
1. Hellebuyck (33 saves on 35 shots)
2. Cirelli (1 goal, 1 assist)
3. Hagel (2 assists)
Our three stars
1. Hellebuyck (33 saves on 35 shots)
2. Cirelli (1 goal, 1 assist)
3. Hagel (2 assists)
The Lightning's next game will be against the New Jersey Devils on Tuesday, March 14, at 7:00 PM ET.
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