Despite getting outscored, 2-1, in the opening 20 minutes, the Lightning's strongest period was the first. They were quick to pucks and spent most of the period in the Sharks' defensive zone. But they couldn't quite finish some of their best looks - pucks just bounced off sticks when players were set up in dangerous scoring areas. Brayden Point also hit the post when the game was still scoreless. As well, Martin Jones provided his team with a few timely saves. But as a whole, the Lightning didn't translate their big possession advantage into shots, scoring chances and goals. At the other end, the Sharks popped in two goals on a couple of isolated chances. One came after a slow Lightning line change and the other following a Lightning d-zone turnover. Victor Hedman did get one of the goals back before the period ended, finishing a shot from the low slot.
But beginning in the second period, the Sharks seemed to find their legs and the Lightning weren't able to maintain the same possession advantage. They did answer Evander Kane's power play goal on the next shift - Mikhail Sergachev potted his first goal of the year after Mathieu Joseph broke into the clear, creating a two-on-zero rush. But the Sharks were much more consistent in keeping pucks in the Tampa Bay d-zone, forcing the Lightning to expend energy defending.
That trend continued in the third, especially after Kane netted his second goal of the game, extending the San Jose lead at 5:18. That tally seemed to take the wind out of the Lightning's sails. Most of final 15 minutes were spent either with the Sharks in possession of the puck in the Lightning's end or the Lightning struggling to find time and space when they had the puck in the offensive zone. The Bolts managed only three shots on goal in the third and just 10 shot attempts in the final frame.
So credit the Sharks for playing a very solid, overall game. Particularly in the final two periods. Also, they did it with three of their regular defensemen out of the lineup due to injuries. On the Lightning's side, the combination of facing an opponent that executed its game plan well, having to play from behind, dealing with some unlucky bounces and being at the end of a long road trip proved to be too much to overcome.
Lightning Radio Three Stars of the Game:
1. Evander Kane - Sharks. Two goals.
2. Brent Burns - Sharks. Three assists. 30:45 TOI.
3. Erik Karlsson - Sharks. Two assists. 29:15 TOI.
