On the other hand, they rallied to tie the game late in the third after surrendering two third period goals. That Anton Stralman tally with 4:58 left helped the Lightning earn a road point in a tough building against an excellent opponent.
The first period was one of the Lightning's best frames so far this young season. They utilized their team speed to apply consistent pressure on Minnesota. Most of the period was spent in the Wild's defensive zone. Thanks to a strong gap, the Lightning turned over a number of pucks in the neutral zone and quickly countered. In all, they netted three goals in the first and posted 16 shots on net. Not included in that total were several other close calls that just missed the net. Minnesota's lone goal came off an isolated chance - a goalie turnover behind the Lightning net led to Charlie Coyle's tally.
The script changed in the second, however, as the Wild picked up their play. Over the final 40 minutes, Minnesota enjoyed much more puck possession and regularly funneled pucks to the net. Marcus Foligno's goal off the rush early in the second cut the Lightning lead to 3-2, but the Lightning still led after two periods. Similar to the Lightning in the first, the Wild just missed on several close calls in the middle stanza. At the other end, the Lightning weren't able to convert on either of two power plays, opportunities that could have given them their multi-goal lead back.
In the third, Minnesota received two power play chances of their own. Just as the second one ended, the Lightning turned the puck over and Zach Parise finished the rebound of a Mikko Koivu shot to tie the game. Minutes later, one more Lightning d-zone turnover led to another rebound goal for the Wild.
Trailing for the first time in the game, the Lightning immediately pushed back. Yanni Gourde set up Stralman for an in-alone chance and Stralman, who had been momentarily shaken up after taking a shot to the neck earlier in the period, tied the game.
In overtime, the Lightning owned most of the puck possession and dangerous looks before Mikael Granlund won the game with a shot from the right circle.
In the end, it turned out to be a wide-open game in which both teams had strong moments and applied heavy pressure. The Lightning had points when puck luck wasn't on their side and they barely missed the net on Grade-A looks. But so did Minnesota. Perhaps it was fitting, then, that the game went to overtime. Losing always leaves a sour taste, but the Lightning will bank their point and move onto Chicago.
Lightning Radio Three Stars of the Game:
1. Mikael Granlund - Wild. GWG.
2. Yanni Gourde - Lightning. Goal and assist.
3. Matt Dumba - Wild.
