By Jake Ricker
The following players/coach missed last night's game due to COVID protocol or injury:
TBL: D Ryan McDonagh (Injury)
BUF: F Kyle Okposo, F Alex Tuch, F Peyton Krebs, F Tage Thompson, D Casey Fitzgerald (COVID-19 Protocol); F Casey Mittelstadt, G Craig Anderson, F Robert Hägg (Injury)
Game Summary
1st Period
The Bolts got off to a hot start in this one as just a few minutes into the game, Palat slid into the slot and fired a shot into the back of the net for a 1-0 lead.
You could tell the Lightning had terrible taste in their mouth from the game against Boston, and they wanted to change that. Buffalo could not get much going, and when they did, only outside shots did not create much danger.
The Bolts then added to their lead as Cirelli found the back of the net on a great play by Cernak, who got the puck to Sergachev, who then found Cirelli in the slot.
The period would then come to a close with the Lightning leading it 2-0 and all of the momentum.
2nd Period
Subban would be the new goalie between the pipes after Lukkanen suffered a lower bodies injury. The Lightning picked right where they left off as Kucherov ripped one from the slot to give the Bolts a 3-0 lead.
The Lightning controlled this game as they put on constant pressure and did a great job at limiting Buffalo's. The Sabers would then get a chance on the power play, but the Bolts penalty kill shut them down.
Buffalo started to pick up some momentum, but it didn't last long as the Bolts killed off another penalty, and then a moment later, Perry made a great pass to Kucherov, who buried it for his second of the night and a 4-0 lead.
The flood gates were open as Buffalo could not find a way to stop the Bolts and all their firepower. Stamkos then got in on the action as he blasted one from the slot to give the Lightning a 5-0 lead.
The second period would then come to a close after a few more chances for the Lightning.
3rd Period
The Lightning were in cruise control for the final 20 minutes of the game. The goal was to limit the Saber's chances, and that's exactly what they did.
The Sabers would finally get on the board during a power-play chance to cut the deficit to four. The Lightning didn't love giving up the shutout, and they turned the pressure right back up with a few good shots on net. Kucherov, who had been excellent tonight, topped off his performance with a hat trick extending the Boots lead to six.
As the Bolts looked to shut this game down, they would need a big save from Cal Foote; yes, you heard that right. Foote slid into the net after Vasy went out of position and prevented a rolling puck from going in.
The period would then come to a close, and the Lightning would head home with a 6-1 win.
Game Stats
TBL BUF
36 Shots on Goal 18
45 Face-off % 54
1/2 Power play 1/4
8 PIM 4
7 Hits 12
11 Blocks 8
5 Giveaways 3
Our Three Stars
1. Kucherov (TBL): 3 Goals
2. Stamkos (TBL): 1 Goals, 2 Assists
3. Killorn (TBL): 3 Assits
Media's Three Stars
1. Kucherov (TBL): 3 Goals
2. Stamkos (TBL): 1 Goals, 2 Assists
3. Cirelli (TBL): 1 Goal, 1 Assist
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