Although the Lightning defended well throughout the game, they struggled with puck management in the first period. As a result, they ceded much of the possession time to the Stars in the opening frame. But Dallas was unable to translate that possession advantage into shots and scoring chances. The Stars managed to put just six shots on net in the first, despite having two separate power play chances. With far less possession time, the Lightning also recorded six shots - and one of those went in. At the beginning of a Lightning power play, the Stars won the face-off, but the puck went into the low slot. Alex Killorn and Ondrej Palat skated to the front of the net. When the puck ricocheted off the stick of Jason Dickinson, it went directly to Palat, who one-timed his shot into the top of the net.
Down 1-0 after one period, the Stars had two more power play opportunities early in the second. Not only did the Lightning kill off both infractions, they added to their lead during the second of those kills. A Jan Rutta clearing attempt deflected off the skate of Justin Dowling, creating a two-on-one rush for Steven Stamkos and Anthony Cirelli, who returned to the lineup after missing the past six games with an injury. After receiving a pass from Stamkos, Cirelli finished his in-alone chance on Anton Khudobin. It was the Lightning's first shorthanded goal of the season.
When Brayden Point converted off the rush with a shot from the right circle that whistled past Khudobin's stick at 8:17 of the second, it was 3-0 for the Lightning and the Stars had lost the jump they had showed at the start of the game. Another Lightning power play goal - this one a Pat Maroon redirection following a perfect pass from Tyler Johnson - extended the lead. Stamkos finished the scoring early in the third, taking a pass from Cirelli and converting a one-timer from the left circle. The remainder of the final period was quiet - the Stars only recorded six more shots in the third, squandering two more power play chances along the way.
When the Stars had possession in the Tampa Bay end, the Lightning did well to keep the Dallas players to the perimeter. Their ability to prevent pucks from getting to prime scoring areas was a big key to their defensive success in this game. We'll see if they can replicate that performance when the teams meet Tuesday in Dallas.
Lightning Radio Three Stars of the Game (as selected by Phil Esposito):
1. Anthony Cirelli - Lightning. SHG and assist.
2. Mikhail Sergachev - Lightning. Two assists.
3. Andrei Vasilevskiy - Second consecutive shutout.
