By Jake Ricker
The Tampa Bay Lightning fell to the Colorado Avalanche by a score of 4-3 in the shootout yesterday but were able to pick up a point in the process. The Bolts have not lost all three games at Amalie Arena and have yet to score a goal first this season.
While the team battled back the entire game, they ultimately came up short and still have some major issues that need to be worked out. Let break down this game period by period and see what went well and what went wrong.
First Period
Colorado got off to a fast start putting the pressure on early, but Vasy made some great saves and kept this game scoreless. Colorado would then have two power-play opportunities early in the first period. The Lightning PK continues to be a bright spot this season, and they once again did their job shutting down both power-play opportunities for Colorado. The Avalanche would then strike first as Landeskog put home the rebound to give them a 1-0 lead.
Things then started to move in the Bolt's favor as they picked up some momentum with some quality opportunities. The Bolts would then get their first two power-play chances late in the first, but the man advantage continues to be an issue for the Lightning as they were not able to convert. The Bolts would head into the end of the period down one but leading in shots.
Second Period
Trailing by 1, the Bolts wanted to tie this game quickly, and that's just what they did. Joseph, who battled for a spot in front of the net, was able to deflect one past Kuemper and tie the game at one.
The Bolts, however, managed to take the next three penalties of the game and Colorado every opportunity to take back the lead. Luckily for the Bolts, the PK continued to shine and kept this game tied at one. It wasn't until just over halfway through the period when Rantanen put one past Vasy to give Colorado back the lead by a score of 2-1.
Both teams then got another power-play chance, but neither could convert. Before the second period came to a close, Joseph would take a hit entering the offensive zone right on his knee. The Bolts were rightfully not happy about it, and we got some extra pushing and shoving. Somehow, after all, was settled, the Refs just gave out matching minors.
Third Period
Just like in the second, the Bolts were able to quickly get things going as they looked to tie this game. Steven Stamkos would then net his fourth of the season as he continues to dominate every game he plays and help the Bolts tie it up at two a pice. The Lightning had the momentum and continued to get some quality chances but could not find the back of the net.
It was at this point Vasy had his stick on the ice covering the short side as he hugged the post, and a Colorado player "tripped" over his stick, and the Bolts would have to go to the penalty kill. A very similar play would happen a few moments later (more of a hook than a trip), but this time there would be no penalty. Either way, Colorado finally cashes in on the man advantage and once again had a one-goal lead, this time by a score of 3-2.
The Lightning kept pushing back but just couldn't seem to find the back of the net. One chance trickled through toward the goal line, but Kuemper somehow reached back and cleared it away before it crossed the line.
Luckily for the Bolts, they have been stellar when it comes to six-on-five play. The Bolts would pull Vasy, and moments later, it was Brayden point who ripped a shot home to tie this game at three. We would then reach the end of regulation, still looking for a winner.
Overtime
Both teams were able to pick up some good shots on net, but no one could get it to cross the line. The Bolts have played very well in overtime, but Kuemper and Vasy were both locked in, and they were ready to send this one to a shootout.
Shootout
Hedman - Scores
Mackinnon - Saved
Point - Miss
Rantanen - Scores
Colton - Miss
Burakovsky - Miss
Stamkos -Scores
Landeskog- Scores
Perry - Miss
Kadri - Miss
Cirelli - Miss
Makar - Scores
Three Stars
First Star - Stamkos
Second Star - Point
Third Star -Mackinnon
Final Strike
The Bolts battled all the way to the end in this one and come away with a point which is always good. Still have yet to score first though and haven’t scored on the power play in 2 games (0 for 9). We are still just five games into the season and not having Kucherov is a big adjustment so there is no reason to panic but there are some big issues the Lighting will have to work on.
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