It was another quality performance for the Lightning–and one they needed against one of the top teams in the NHL. The 3-2 win allowed Tampa Bay to sweep the three-game homestand.
The Wild were coming off a disappointing overtime loss in Buffalo. Not surprisingly, they came out of the gates well against the Lightning, controlling the first few minutes. But then the line of Anthony Cirelli, Brandon Hagel, and Jake Guentzel strung together a lengthy offensive-zone shift. It culminated in a goal for Cirelli, who tipped in a point shot from Erik Cernak at 5:26. On the ensuing shift, the Lightning added to their lead. John Carlson wristed a center-point shot past a screened Jesper Wallstedt at 6:02.
The two quick goals gave the Lightning a momentum boost they maintained for much of the rest of the period. They outattempted Minnesota, 32-16, and decisively outchanced them. Wallstedt made several key saves to keep his team’s deficit at two.
In the second period, the Wild leveled the ice. They got on the board when Quinn Hughes’ wrister from the blue line beat a screened Dennis Hildeby at 2:32. The Lightning answered with a Carlson power-play goal—he ripped a one-timer from the slot past Wallstedt’s stick at 4:55. It was the Lightning’s first PPG of the season.
Later in the period, the Lightning had to kill a couple of penalties of their own. They navigated through the first but not the second. Off the rush, former Lightning forward Blake Coleman lifted a left-circle shot over Hildeby’s glove at 14:01.
Both goalies were tested over the final 26 minutes but were up to the challenge. The teams combined for 27 third-period shots—none went in.
It was an excellent Lightning debut for Hildeby, who finished with 34 saves. Wallstedt, in his first-ever appearance against the Lightning, also played very well. Wallstedt’s work kept his team close. Hildeby kept his team in front, however.
The Lightning look to bring their strong play on the road—they open a two-game trip on Saturday against the New York Islanders.
Lightning Radio Three Stars of the Game (as selected by Phil Esposito):
- John Carlson — Lightning. Two goals. Nine SOG.
- Dennis Hildeby — Lightning. 34 saves.
- Jesper Wallstedt — Wild. 32 saves.
