That patience was one key to their victory. Another was how well they themselves defended when Minnesota had the puck. Part of that stout defense is tied to their patient game when they had the puck. They didn't turn pucks over in dangerous areas. Turnovers that would have fueled Minnesota rushes up ice. But also, the Lightning did an excellent job of taking away Minnesota's time and space when the Wild had the puck in the Lightning's end. During five-on-five play, the Wild managed just 12 shots on goal for the entire game. The Bolts held Minnesota to just 38 total shot attempts, including just seven attempts in the third period.
Of course, the Wild also defended well. Goalie Alex Stalock was at his best in the first period, when the Lightning jumped out to a 10-1 shot on goal advantage in the first 13 minutes. They had several good chances during that timeframe, but couldn't beat Stalock. Their number of scoring chances diminished as the game progressed because the Wild tightened things up defensively.
Neither club scored a power play goal in this game, but special teams were another big factor in the outcome. Both clubs went 0-6 on the power play. Minnesota has an excellent penalty kill - it ranked third in the league entering this game - and the Wild limited the Lightning to six power play shots. They didn't allow a single shot during a long five-on-three for the Lightning in the third period. As for the Lightning, who had yielded eight power play goals on their previous 17 kill opportunities, their ability to keep Minnesota off the board during the Wild's power play chances was critical. It's true that Minnesota recorded 10 power play shots and the Wild were at their most dangerous in the game when they were on the power play. But Andrei Vasilevskiy stopped all 10 of those shots and the Lightning's PK got sharper with each successive kill.
Then there was the play Brayden Point made on the winning goal. He carried the puck up ice with speed and put the Wild defenders back on their heels. Dan Girardi joined the rush and went to the front of the net. The Wild failed to puck up Girardi, who received a perfect pass from Point and redirected the puck into an open net. The Girardi goal broke the scoreless tie and came with 2:42 left in the third. Less than a minute later, Jake Dotchin held in a Minnesota clearing attempt and fed Tyler Johnson, who zipped a wrist shot from the right circle into the top of the net. Nikita Kucherov finished the scoring with an empty-netter in the final minute.
It was a solid - and patient - performance that led to a seventh consecutive home win.
Lightning Radio Big Moment of the Game (as selected by Phil Esposito):
Girardi's GWG.
Lightning Radio Three Stars of the Game (as selected by Phil Esposito):
1. Andrei Vasilevskiy - Lightning. Shutout win. 22 saves.
2. Dan Girardi - Lightning. GWG.
3. Brayden Point - Lightning. Assist on GWG.
