There are a number of ways to break down this game, but I'd separate it into two segments. From the start of the game until Braydon Point's goal gave the Lightning a 3-2 lead in the second period. Then, from the next shift (on which Kyle Palmieri tied the game) lasting through the end.
During that first segment, the Lightning, for the most part, carried play. In the second segment, the Devils were the more dangerous team. What complicates that narrative is the fact that both teams scored multiple goals during those two segments.
Let's look at the first period and the better part of the second. The Lightning were able to attack the Devils effectively off the rush and enjoy a lot of offensive zone time. Ondrej Palat, Alex Killorn (on the Lightning's lone power play chance), and Point converted. For the Devils during that time, much of their offense came while they were on the power play. Palmieri's opening goal was a PPG and Jesper Bratt's second period tally came just as another New Jersey power play expired. The Devils posted nine shots on their five power play chances, all of which came during the first two periods.
Shifts after a goal are some of the most important in a game. When Palmieri answered Point's goal, the game's script flipped. From that point on, the Devils owned most of the puck possession, shots, and scoring chances. Palmieri's second period tally was the first of three consecutive goals for the Devils, who eventually took a 5-3 lead early in the third. Anthony Cirelli tipped in Jan Rutta's shot just over a minute later, but that goal didn't slow down the Devils. Following Cirelli's tally, the Devils generated a handful of Grade-A chances on Curtis McIlhinney. But they couldn't extend the lead. Instead, Mathieu Joseph tied the game when his centering pass deflected in the New Jersey net off Taylor Hall. When Palat scored off the rush at 16:03, the Lightning had netted three unanswered goals of their own - they did it on just five third period shots. Of course, the game still had couple of more twists and turns. Palmieri's hat trick goal in the closing seconds tied the score again before Tyler Johnson won it in overtime.
Obviously, there was more to the story than just those two segments. The Lightning did have defensive issues, particularly in the second half of the game. Once again, they took too many penalties leading to opposition power plays. Two of those penalties led to New Jersey goals. But there were positives, too. The Lightning, playing the second half of a back-to-back against a rested opponent, rallied from a multi-goal third period deficit. They played without three injured players, including two of their top-four defensemen. They received a monster game from the line of Point, Palat, and Johnson, who accounted for four of the six even-strength goals. And McIlhinney, despite allowing six, was sensational during New Jersey's third period surge when the Lightning still trailed, 5-4.
So the Bolts will bank their two points, enjoy a day off on Thursday, and get ready to face the red-hot New York Islanders (winners of seven straight) on Friday.
Lightning Radio Three Stars of the Game:
1. Ondrej Palat - Lightning. Two goals and assist.
2. Kyle Palmieri - Devils. Hat trick.
3. Brayden Point - Lightning. Goal and two assists.
