RECAP: Lightning 6, Blackhawks 3

RAPID REACTION:The game tilted quickly in Tampa Bay's favor as the Lightning peppered Cam Ward with shots and beat the Blackhawks 6-3 at the United Center.
The Lightning came fast out of the gates and were outshooting Chicago 5-0 when they scored their first goal of the game at 3:21 of the opening period, a Nikita Kucherov tally.

The game remained tied until 4:22 of the second, when Anthony Cirelli hacked home a loose puck at the post to put the visitors on top 2-1.
Tampa began to pull away at 12:07 of the second, when Tyler Johnson finished off a passing play to give the Lightning a 3-1 advantage.
Brayden Point's goal at 14:01 of the middle frame made it a 4-1 game. Victor Hedman made it 5-1 in the third.
However, David Kampf sniped a nice goal at 15:17 of the final frame from the slot. The Blackhawks also made it more interesting with 3:48 left on the clock when Nick Schmaltz scored to make it 5-3. The play was initially ruled a no-goal, but was reviewed and reversed after the officials determined it did indeed cross the line.
An empty-netter made it 6-3 for the Lightning with just over two minutes remaining, putting the stamp on the visitors' victory.
FORTIN'S FIRST:As a young player, you'd like your first NHL goal to be one to remember - a highlight-reel worthy moment. How about a breakaway equalizer? Fortin, who had been close in his first handful of games to lighting the lamp, put all his frustrations behind him when he received a pass behind everyone and beat Louis Domingue one-on-one at 11:40 of the first period. He now has points in two straight.

WARD'S NIGHT:Cam Ward was solid between the pipes early on and turned in some highlight-reel saves, including his stop on a Tyler Johnson breakaway in the second. He also blockered away a dangerous chance from Yanni Gourde in the first and turned away numerous chances from in close while the game was still in reach. However, with little goal support early and with him being under siege, facing 45 shots in the opening two periods alone and 54 for the game, it was not Ward's or the Blackhawks night.
SECOND PERIOD STRUGGLES:Chicago's second-period play has been a bit of an issue. The Blackhawks were outshot 33-6 and outscored 3-0 by Tampa in the middle frame tonight. Last night, in Columbus, Chicago was outshot 16-5 as well with the Blue Jackets generating several solid chances, although Corey Crawford managed to keep things scoreless that period. Overall this season, they've been outscored 9-4 in middle frames. They've also been outshot by a total of 114-71 in second periods.

TALKING POINTS:
"It was fun. I think it would be a little more fun to get your first goal and two points for your team. Tonight's my first goal but now it's [time] for the next chapter and to be ready for the next game. As a team, find a way to just play three periods." - Alexandre Fortin on scoring his first NHL goal
"We've got moments where we're actually pretty good, where we want the puck and guys aren't afraid to receive it and protect it. Just keep the play alive until there's an option or skate with the puck. Sometimes you've got to take hits to make plays, you've got to go into traffic. Where we haven't been good in the last couple games, we've been doing the opposite." - Jonathan Toews on his team's performance
WHAT'S NEXT:The Blackhawks host the Anaheim Ducks on Tuesday night at 7:30 p.m. CT. They then conclude this three-game homestand against the New York Rangers on Thursday at 7:30 p.m. CT.