It's true that the Lightning allowed four goals after having yielded only three total goals against the Leafs and Predators. But the Panthers are an extremely dynamic, dangerous offensive team. All things considered, this was actually a fairly strong defensive performance for Tampa Bay. They battled hard in front of their net, they avoided long d-zone shifts, and while they allowed a third period power play goal, they successfully killed off the first five penalties that put them short.
In terms of their own offense, the Lightning were plenty dangerous themselves. Passing was crisp, so they avoided costly turnovers. That high urgency level was key in their ability to win puck battles. And they repeatedly made plays, setting up teammates for open looks and scoring chances. Three of their eight goals came on the power play, which has erupted for 10 goals over the past five games. They went 9-3 on power play face-offs, so they enjoyed plenty of o-zone possession time while on the man advantage. Two of the three PPG came early in the opportunity, moments after Brayden Point won a face-off to begin the chance.
Nikita Kucherov (2-3-5), Steven Stamkos (2-2-4), Victor Hedman (0-4-4) continued to amass high point totals. Point had a goal and an assist as well. But two of the biggest goals of the game came from Nick Paul. The Panthers had rallied from a 3-1 deficit to tie the score early in the second. Then they received back-to-back power plays. On the first, Paul and Brandon Hagel teamed up on a highlight-reel shorthanded goal. Following Paul's clear, Hagel outraced Aleksander Barkov down the ice and made a backhand centering feed from behind the Florida net. Paul was open in the slot and he put the puck and his stick between his skates and snapped home a shorthanded goal. Seconds after the next kill ended, Paul jumped on a loose puck in the offensive zone and his centering pass to Alex Killorn deflected into the Panthers net off Spencer Knight's stick.
Committed, physical play. Excellent special teams. Balanced scoring. Another impressive performance and another resounding victory.
Lightning Radio Three Stars of the Game:
1. Nikita Kucherov - Lightning. Two goals and three assists.
2. Nick Paul - Lightning. Two goals.
3. Steven Stamkos - Lightning. Two goals and two assists.
