Lightning Sparked by Their Defense, Surge Back to Beat Leafs

By: Tyler Santana

Overview

The Lightning came in looking to beat their division rivals and keep their lead in the Atlantic. It started ugly for the Bolts as they found themselves down 3-0 in the second period. Then Victor Hedman scored to make it 1-0 before the period ended, then Ryan McDonagh scored early in the 3^rd to make it 3-2. The Bolts then tied it up and took the lead in the 3^rd period, shutting down the Leafs and emerging as the 4-3 winner in this game.

1^st Period

The Lightning and Leafs started off playing a very even game in the early game, trading chances that were turned away by Andrei Vasilevskiy and Fredrik Andersen respectively. Both goalies were on their game making big early saves, and as the teams settled in it became more playoff style of hockey, with limited rushes and both teams looking to limit speed. The Lightning would get called for a penalty, and in the ensuing delay they couldn’t touch the puck, leading to a goal for James van Reimsdyk, 1-0 Leafs. Ryan Callahan would leave the game and not return after an exchange with Josh Leivo in which both got roughing minors. Steven Stamkos would get one of the Bolts better chances of the period on a quick one-timer but Andersen blockered it away. The Bolts would get another penalty at the end of the period and would have 1:32 left in the penalty to kill in the 2^nd.

Shots 12-6 Leafs

Score 1-0 Leafs

2^nd Period
The Leafs capitalized on the Powerplay, again with JVR finding the back of the net. Anthony Cirelli, who has really made the most of his time in Tampa and plays hard in all zones generated a semi-breakaway, but he couldn’t slide it past Andersen. The Lightning would go to the powerplay but couldn’t capitalize on the chance. The Bolts would get tagged again for a penalty but killed it off, only for Zach Hyman to score soon after and give the Leafs a 3-0 lead. A 3-goal lead is probably the scariest lead in Leafs nation, but, luckily, they wouldn’t have to hold it long, as less than a minute later Victor Hedman ripped a puck by Andersen to make it a 3-1 game. Interestingly, Adam Erne got his first career assist on that goal, his 7^th career point, meaning he had 6 goals in the NHL before he got one assist. The period would close with the Bolts still trailing 3-1.

Shots 24-18 Leafs

Score 3-1 Leafs

3^rd Period

The Bolts started the period off just like they needed to, with a quick goal. The newest Bolts defenseman Ryan McDonagh fired a puck over Andersen’s blocker to make it a 3-2 game. Just 2 minutes later, Nikita Kucherov threw a puck in front that hit the skate of Morgan Reilly and bounced in to tie the game for the Lightning 3-3. The Lightning team in this 3^rd period looked like a team that could hoist Lord Stanley, fast and deadly, while being defensively sound, only surrendering 6 shots in the 3^rd. About hallway through the period, Anthony Cirelli took a pass from Yanni Gourde and flipped it right to Alex Killorn who wasted no time in one-timing the puck past Andersen. The Lightning had one more major hurdle when they had to kill off a late Powerplay for the Leafs as well as a last-ditch attempt to tie the game, but the Lightning played fantastic and sealed win No.41 for Andrei Vasilevskiy, a new Lightning franchise record, and now sit one win away from a new single season record for team wins.

Shots 30-25 Leafs

BOLTS WIN 4-3

3 Stars

1^st Star: Ryan McDonagh (1G)

2^nd Star: Anthony Cirelli (1A)

3^rd Star: James van Reimsdyk (2G)

Up Next

We head to New York to take on the Islanders Thursday, March 22^nd with puck drop at 7:00pm.