It was a strong performance for the Lightning against a team that is going to miss the playoffs and is fielding a young lineup. The Lightning's aggressive forecheck was able to exploit that youth and, as a result, they owned most of the puck possession in the game. The Lightning did well to use that extended offensive zone time effectively - they shot a lot of pucks and most of them went on net. They finished with 50 shots on goal (one shy of the season high) while only 22 other attempts didn't get to the net. Despite allowing seven goals, Ondrej Pavelec made a number of excellent saves.
While the Lightning didn't have a poor first period - they posted 13 shots, created chances off their forecheck and had a strong penalty kill effort late in the frame - they were behind by a goal after 20 minutes. A Steven Stamkos fight at the end of the frame sparked the Lightning and they broke through offensively early in the second.
The Lightning got goals from all four lines, so the scoring was well distributed. The line of Cedric Paquette (two goals and assist), Chris Kunitz (two assists) and Cory Conacher (assist) was especially dynamic. Their relentless forechecking allowed them to spend most of the night in the offensive zone. Paquette's first goal, which came early in the second, tied the game at one. Just 1:18 later, Alex Killorn's tally gave the Lightning a 2-1 lead.
The Lightning's ability to score in bunches continued early in the third. Miller's power play goal was the first of three quick tallies. Paquette and Brayden Point added goals off the rush during the next 2:03, extending the Lightning lead to 5-1. In their victory over the Rangers at Amalie Arena on March 8, the Lightning did have not a particularly strong third period and the Rangers cut a 5-1 deficit to 5-3. Again in this game, the Rangers scored a couple of third period goals, but the Lightning did a much better job of keeping the pressure on New York in the final frame than they did in that earlier contest. The Bolts finished with 22 third period shots, a season high for shots in a period. They did pull away late thanks to Point's empty-netter and Girardi's power play goal in the final minute.
With the win, the Lightning matched the franchise record with 108 points and moved back ahead of Boston into first place. The Bruins, who have two games in hand on the Lightning, will play afternoon games on Saturday at home against Florida and Sunday in Philadelphia. So Boston will be done with its weekend contests before the Lightning face off against Nashville on Sunday at 6:00 PM.
Lightning Radio Big Moment of the Game:
Miller's early third period power play goal.
Lightning Radio Three Stars of the Game:
1. Cedric Paquette - Lightning. Two goals and assist.
2. Brayden Point - Lightning. Two goals (30 on the season).
3. Victor Hedman - Lightning. Two assists.
