Mishkin's Extra Shift: Golden Knights 3, Lightning 2 - SO

An overtime or shootout loss can be disappointing, even though a standings point is gained in the process. But given the fact that the Lightning were down 2-0 and had managed just nine total shots on goal through two periods, they could have come out of this game with zero points. Instead, a determined, resilient third period performance helped them rally and earn one point in the standings.

During those opening 40 minutes, Vegas consistently took away the Lightning's time and space. The Golden Knights were not only structured in their positioning, they were also aggressive in getting after Lightning puck carriers. When the Lightning had possession in the offensive zone, they struggled to get pucks through to goaltender Robin Lehner. Of the nine shots Lehner faced in the first two periods, a few were dangerous (including a breakaway chance for Ross Colton). But many of the Lightning's best looks during the first and second were shots that missed the net. In the second period alone, Steven Stamkos had two good opportunities off the rush that just missed the net and later, in the closing minutes of the frame, Cal Foote rang a shot off the post. Adding to the Lightning's difficulties in generating chances, the Golden Knights - who entered the game tied for the league lead in blocked shots - were effective at getting in the shooting lanes.
Then there was Vegas' offensive attack in the first two periods. The Golden Knights received a strong outing from their fourth line of Brett Howden, Will Carrier, and Keegan Kolesar during the first two periods. The line accounted for both Vegas goals, converting on close range plays around the net. Howden's first period tally came on a third successive shot from the slot after Andrei Vasilevsky had made two straight saves on Carrier. In the second, Carrier put a puck from the side of the net through the crease, where it bounced off Frederik Claesson and went into the net.
But if not for Vasilevskiy, the score would have been more lopsided after two periods. In the middle stanza, Vasilevskiy made several tough saves, including close range stops on Reilly Smith (twice in a row), Mark Stone, and, in the final minute during a Vegas power play, on Max Pacioretty.
In the third period the game's narrative completely changed. The Lightning applied more pressure and Vegas was less successful at preventing shots and scoring chances. How did this happen? The Lightning picked up their pace of play. They also received three consecutive power play opportunities. While they didn't score during those six minutes, they did get a lot of possession time and posted seven shots on goal during the three opportunities. The last of those power plays came after Colton laid a hard, clean, open-ice check on Ben Hutton and Kolesar went after Colton. Kolesar was assessed a roughing minor at 11:09. It proved to be a costly penalty. Just three seconds after penalty ended, Corey Perry set up Colton for a one-timer into an open side of the net.
The Lightning rank second to Minnesota this year in extra-attacker goals. They picked up their 10th sixth-attacker tally of the season (the eighth when they've been down in the third period - the other two came during delayed penalty calls). With 2:58 remaining, Stamkos won an offensive zone face-off and 10 seconds later, the Lightning tied it. Perry attempted to tuck the puck in from the side of the net. It hit off Lehner's skate and slid into the crease. As Vegas defenders attempted to clear it, it banked off Lehner and into the net. Perry picked up his third sixth-attacker tying goal (he also scored one of the two delayed penalty goals earlier this season).
In the third period, the Lightning outshot Vegas, 17-1. That one Vegas shot came off a neutral zone dump-in with one minute left in regulation. But earlier in the frame, the Golden Knights had chances to extend their lead. As the Lightning pressed to score, they yielded multiple odd-man rush chances. But not only did Vegas not convert on any of them, the Golden Knights didn't even register a shot. On every one of those odd-man rushes, the Golden Knights attempted a pass. Either a Lightning defenseman disrupted it or it was off target. So just as the Lightning squandered some of their isolated looks in the first two periods and Vegas got rewarded with a bounce on the Carrier goal, things were reversed in the third. The Golden Knights couldn't capitalize on their intermittent chances and the Lightning benefitted from a bounce on the tying goal.
Both sides had chances to win the game in overtime, posting three shots apiece. And both clubs could have won the shootout, which went seven rounds. Stamkos extended the shootout with a goal in round three and William Karlsson kept Vegas alive with a goal in round six. Finally, Stone sealed it with the winning tally one round later.
Vegas is a really good team and the Golden Knights put together 40 terrific minutes of hockey. But the Lightning deserve credit for their comeback and forcing their Golden Knights out of their tight structure. This allowed them to not only tilt the ice in the third, but also to get pucks on net more consistently.
Lightning Radio Three Stars of the Game (as selected by Phil Esposito):
1. Robin Lehner - Golden Knights. 27 saves.
2. Corey Perry - Lightning. Goal and assist.
3. Will Carrier - Golden Knights. Goal and assist.