The Lightning gave Vegas a lot of trouble in the first period, though. They spent most of the frame with possession of the puck in the offensive zone. They also owned the majority of the scoring chances. Marc-Andre Fleury was sharp in holding the Lightning to just one goal. Anthony Cirelli's early breakaway chance hit the crossbar, too. Despite tilting the ice during the frame, the Lightning weren't able to take a lead into the first intermission. That's because Alec Martinez's rebound goal late in the period tied the game at one.
The Lightning's play became leakier in the second, while Vegas tightened things up. The Golden Knights netted two goals off the rush - the second of those came after a Lightning turnover at the offensive blue line as the two defensemen were attempting to make a line change. That Mark Stone tally came 61 seconds after Steven Stamkos had tied the game with a power play goal. And while Vegas went 0-2 on the power play in the second, the Golden Knights posted eight shots on goal during those man advantages. Most, if not all, of those shots were dangerous.
Vegas would eventually strike on the power play in the opening minute of the third, a Max Pacioretty top shelf shot at the 47-second mark. That was already Vegas' second goal of the period. Right after the Lightning won the opening faceoff to begin the third, Ryan Reaves stole the puck and converted a shot from the right circle.
Up 5-2 with 19 minutes remaining, the Golden Knights did well to prevent the Lightning from generating good looks. Vegas blocked eight shots in the period (and 21 for the game) and the Lightning managed just six third period shots on goal. One of those was another goal for Stamkos, a six-on-four power play marker that came with an extra attacker on the ice for Andrei Vasilevskiy.
So the Lightning power play, which had been mired in a 2-44 slump prior to the game, did post two goals. That's one positive to take out of this contest. But from a team defense standpoint, the Lightning will look to bounce back when they finish the trip on Saturday against Arizona.
Lightning Radio Three Stars of the Game:
1. Alec Martinez - Golden Knights. Goal and assist.
2. Paul Stastny - Golden Knights. Goal.
3. Steven Stamkos - Lightning. Two PPG.
