Mishkin's Extra Shift: Lightning 5, Hurricanes 4

This was a game in which both teams struggled to clear pucks out of their own end. Correspondingly, both the Lightning and Hurricanes were very effective on the forecheck and were able to force turnovers in the other team's zone. Additionally, the Lightning were dangerous off the rush throughout the game (the Hurricanes less so). Three of the Lightning's five goals came off the rush and they had a handful of other breakaways and in-alone chances that Cam Ward stopped. On the Carolina side, the Hurricanes did damage on special teams - they netted two power play goals and added another tally during a six-on-five after they pulled the goalie.

So each team had its strong moments in this game. Certainly, the Lightning would have liked to have had a cleaner performance in their own zone and gotten through their penalty kills unscathed, but in the end, the positives outweighed the negatives. Tyler Johnson recorded his third career regular season hat trick (plus one more in the playoffs) The first came on a perfect tip and the second on a rebound after Jake Dotchin hit the post. The final one was of the highlight-reel variety. Chasing down a loose puck in the Carolina end, he outmuscled Noah Hanafin and forced his way to the front of the net. After Cam Ward stopped his first shot, he popped in the rebound. The line of Steven Stamkos, Nikita Kucherov and Chris Kunitz also had a strong game - their line was on the ice for Victor Hedman's first period goal. Kunitz also put the puck in the net, but that goal was overturned on an offside challenge.
Which brings me to another impressive aspect of this Lightning win. In terms of the calls that didn't go their way, it was a frustrating game. The overturn on the Kunitz goal was a 50-50 call. For the second straight game, the Lightning didn't receive a single power play chance. But the Lightning didn't allow those elements to affect their game. While there were ebbs and flows to the contest as each team applied pressure at different points, the Lightning did have more of the run of play during the decisive third period. And their ability to dictate continued after the Kunitz goal was overturned.
The first home game back after a long road trip often can be a tough one. But the Lightning have handled those games well this year. That includes this performance, which came against a motivated Carolina team that was coming off a 7-1 loss in Boston on Saturday. The Lightning now have one game left before getting their bye week - Thursday at home against Calgary.
Lightning Radio Big Moment of the Game (as selected by Phil Esposito):
Jake Dotchin's third period goal, breaking the 3-3 tie.
Lightning Radio Three Stars of the Game (as selected by Phil Esposito):
1. Tyler Johnson - Lightning. Hat trick. 2. Victor Hedman - Lightning. Goal and assist. 3. Brayden Point - Lightning. Three assists.