But it's also true that the Lightning easily could have come out of this contest with zero points. Andrei Vasilevskiy delivered a magnificent performance, stopping 52 off 55 Carolina shots. He was the biggest reason why the Lightning avoided a regulation loss.
Carolina plays a high-pressure game, designed to limit possession for the other team. The Hurricanes successfully executed their system throughout the night and dominated possession. Carolina outshot the Lightning, 55-26, and owned a 93-49 shot attempt advantage. The Lightning struggled to apply any sustained offensive zone pressure. Their best looks came off zone entries and those were isolated, although one did yield a goal for Nick Paul.
Instead, most of the action took place in the Tampa Bay defensive zone. The Lightning struggled to clear pucks out of their own end and when they did, they often turned pucks over in the neutral zone.
The Lightning managed to score three goals, however. Two came on the power play. Early in the second period, Carolina defenseman Jalen Chatfield committed two penalties on the same shift, leading to a four-minute Tampa Bay advantage. On the second of those, Colton deflected in Mikhail Sergachev's shot. Later in the frame, Chatfield took another penalty and then Jordan Martinook was called for a post-whistle slash on Colton. The Lightning received a two-minute five-on-three, on which they converted.
So some ill-advised Carolina penalties helped the Lightning's cause. But the story of this game was Vasilevskiy, who was under siege for almost the entire night. He stole a point for his team.
Lightning Radio Three Stars of the Game (as selected by Phil Esposito):
1. Andrei Vasilevskiy - Lightning. 52 saves.
2. Brady Skjei - Hurricanes. SHG.
3. Sebastian Aho - Hurricanes. Assist. GWG in shootout.
