Lightning VS Ducks Postgame Recap
By Jake Ricker
Overview
The Tampa Bay Lighting have once again found a way to win thanks to a stellar performance for Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy. The Bolts squeaked by the Ducks 2-1 to improve to 14-2-2 which keeps the Bolts at the number one spot in the NHL and the first team to reach 30pts.
First Period
The Bolts looked good early on in this game with tons of offensive chances but Ducks Goaltender John Gibson made some top-notch saves on both Steven Stamkos and Mikhail Sergachev keeping the game tied at zero. Gibson was also hot during the power play for the Bolts keeping them off the board. This was an uneventful First as neither team really took over the game and both teams were evenly matched.
Goals: 0-0
Shots: 17-7 Lightning
Second Period
About halfway through the second, The Lightning would get their second power play of the night, and the Bolts were able to be the first on the board thanks to Namestnikov who was able to jump on rebound from the shot from winger Nikita Kucherov. Despite the goal Gibson continued to shut down the hot Lightning offense, The Lightning thought they had scored their second of the night but after video review, Gibson was able to sprawl out at the last second and keep the puck from crossing the goal line. The Bolts and Ducks still had a tight game after 40 as both teams were playing some great defense.
Goals: 1-0 Lightning
Shots: 29-14 Lightning
Third Period
With only 20 min more to go the Bolts had their third road W in sight, however, The Ducks were able to tie the game up at 1-1 on a shot from Silfverberg in the slot. But not long after the Bolts got right back into it, Ryan Callahan made a great play when fighting for the puck in the corner to free it up, Kunitz then came in late to help Callahan and made a fantastic backhand pass to JT Brown who made a Kucherov/Stamkos-like shot and put the Bolts up 2-1. This was a fantastic play all around by this line from Cally grinding down low to Kunitz pass and Brown’s snipe. From here it was the Vasy show as he continued to shine as he made a miraculous save that the Ducks thought went in. After a long video review, it was determined that the puck did not cross the line as once the puck appeared from under Vasy’s pads it was not fully over the line. Vasy finished the game off strong with some more great saves and the Bolts swept the west coast to bring home the W with a final score of 2-1.
Goals: 2-1 Lightning
Shots 37-29 Lightning
3 Stars
- Andrei Vasilevskiy
- JT Brown
- John Gibson
Up Next
The Bolts will come home after winning all three games on the west coast road trip and will take on the Dallas Stars as Ben Bishop will make his return to Tampa Bay Thursday at 7:30 PM