By Michael Wax
The Tampa Bay Lightning lost a second consecutive game with a 3-2 OT loss against the in game two of the 2024 Rookie Showcase.
"The thing I liked is from the first minute to the tenth, to all the game long, we got better as the game went on," said assistant coach JP Cote. "So this is a positive for us."
While the offense was powered by two assists from Max Groshev, the Lightning were not able to finish the game strong after grabbing their 2-1 lead. Here are three things we learned from the loss:
Groshev is Gross
To anyone who saw the play of Max Groshev in the 2023 Rookie Showcase and Preseason, this should come as no surprise. After a great rookie season in Syracuse, Groshev started his second year in the Lightning organization with a goal in game one and two fantastic assists in game two.
"The first thing you see out of Maxim is his north/south game," said Cote. "He's got that nailed right now. He's got a good engine and is a really, really powerful, athletic player; now we see a little more of the lateral plays that he can make and show a little bit more vision."
Groshev's first assist came on the power play to tie the game. Groshev found his way down the left side, received a cross-ice pass from Lucas Edmonds, and immediately went back across the grain to give Milo Roelens a tap in.
"I know he's a great player," said Roelens. "He sees the ice really well. He's a great shooter, too, so the goalie has to respect that. I was just ready to put the puck in the net.
Groshev's second helper came on a more traditional play. Forechecking in the offensive zone, Groshev got the puck free and found a streaking Ethan Gauthier to give the Lightning their first lead of the night.
[Groshev's] a hell of a player," said Gauthier. "He's strong, he's fast, he can do a lot of stuff out there. That sequence kind of shows all of his talent right there. Honestly, I wasn't expecting much out of it... That defender was well-placed, and he found a way to get it through."
Groshev is looking to take that next step this season, and he's off to a good start.
Goaltending?
Thought Ryan Fanti had a great performance? Enter Harrison Meneghin.
Meneghin made a lot of big stops early, similar to Ryan in game one. The 2024 7th-rounder kept the Lightning in the game early, especially when shots were 9-1 Predators after the first period.
"He was great," said Roelens. "He kept us in the game pretty much the whole game."
Meneghin continued his excellence in overtime, making several game-saving stops before eventually being beat on a one-timer with under a minute to go.
"Harrison did an unreal job," said Cote. "[He] kept us in the game. He even had some big saves at the end there."
Meneghin even stopped four of five shots in the shootout, showing off an ability to read plays quickly and adapt. These first two performances have been a welcome surprise for a team that doesn't have a lot of goalie depth in the pipeline.
The Defense Still Has Work To Do
The start of this game could not have gone worse for the Lightning, looking to improve upon a seven-goals against performance, but surrendered a 9-1 shot advantage in the opening frame.
"I think we were sometimes out of structure at some point when we felt the pressure on their side offensively," said Gauthier. "Sometimes, we were kind of running around and not being good on details."
The lightning did an excellent job limiting chances in the second period, but their masterpiece came in the third. Even though they allowed a goal to tie the game with 1:33 to go, they allowed two shots to the Predators that entire period and dictated play.
"I think in the third, we definitely stuck to our game plan and did those details to help give ourselves the best chance of winning this game," said Gauthier."
Cote echoed the same.
"We saw a lot of good things from the guys.," said Cote. "We teach simple things at this age; we're trying to make those guys become pros, or some of our younger guys become even better players."
Overtime proved to be too much for the group, one that will get it rested before the final game of the showcase.
"I think we're going visit Nashville a bit and just relax," Roelens said on the off day Sunday.
The Lightning will have a practice day tomorrow before finishing up the 2024 Rookie Showcase against the Florida Panthers on Monday at 11:00 EST.
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