Tampa Bay Lightning Drop Game 4 As Series Heads Back To Tampa

1. 23. Final. 2. 94

The Tampa Bay Lightning rallied late in the third period, but would ultimately fall in Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Finals as the series heads back to the Amalie Arena.

The Tampa Bay Lightning pulled out all the stops in the final three minutes of the third period, but despite their flurry of offense the Tampa Bay Lightning would fall 2-1 to the Chicago Blackhawks in Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Finals. The series is now tied at 2 games apiece.

The Tampa Bay Lightning started out this game with a change that came as not that much of a surprise to many here in the Bolts Nation. It would be announced that Lightning goaltender Ben Bishop would be listed as day-to-day with an undisclosed injury.

This would mean that rookie netminder Andrei Vasilevskiy would get his first official start of the post season. The last time Vasilevskiy got the start for the Tampa Bay Lightning was all the way back on March 31^st when the Lightning took on the Toronto Maple Leafs.

While we have full faith in Andrei Vasilevskiy, his lack of play in the post season means that the Tampa Bay Lightning will have to step it up a little on the defense until Vasilevskiy can get his legs under him.

Just before the halfway point in the period, the Tampa Bay Lightning would get the first crack at the Power Play of the night as Brent Seabrook would be sent off for 2 minutes for Interference towards Alex Killorn. Unfortunately for the Lightning, they would find themselves unable to capitalize on the opportunity.

It wouldn’t be long before the Blackhawks would have a chance of their own with the man-advantage. This time, it would be Lightning defenseman Jason Garrison who would be sent to the sin bin for 2 minutes for Interference on Andrew Shaw.

Fortunately for the Bolts, the Blackhawks Power Play wouldn’t last very long as Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews would be called for 2 minutes for High Sticking Lightning defenseman Victor Hedman. Toews was clearly upset after the call, but that doesn’t make the call any less legit and thus he made his way to the box.

It would seem as if the first period of this game would have more penalties in it than most of the whole games we’ve seen this series. As the period pressed on, both the Blackhawks and the Lightning would have a man sit in the sin bin for 2 minutes, Kimmo Timonen for the Blackhawks and Alex Killorn for the Lightning.

The Tampa Bay Lightning clearly outshot the Blackhawks in the first period, going 9-2 over the Blackhawks. Unfortunately for the Blackhawks, the Lightning would be owned in the faceoff circle by the Hawks, who would go 12-7 Blackhawks. In other words, in his first period as starter between the pipes, Vasilevskiy had enough time to take a nap and possibly enjoy a beverage.

One could imagine the Blackhawks would be looking to make a change in the second period. The Hawks had a few good chances early as they finished up the remaining time on the Power Play from the first period, but Andrei Vasilevskiy would easily turn them away.

At just about the 5 minute mark in the second period, the Chicago Blackhawks had an incredibly close call as the puck deflected off of Vasilevskiy’s blocker and ricocheted off the post. The Blackhawks fans were almost certain the puck went in, but alas…it did not.

Unfortunately for the Lightning, it would be the Chicago Blackhawks would strike first blood in tonight’s encounter. At the 6:40 mark in the period it would be Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews who would sink the puck past Vasilevskiy to take the early lead. The assists on the Toews goal would go to Patrick Sharp and Marian Hossa.

Just a few moments later, the Tampa Bay Lightning would find themselves on the Power Play as Blackhawks defenseman Brent Seabrook would head to the box for 2 minutes for Cross-Checking J.T. Brown from behind and into the boards.

Unfortunately, the Blackhawks seemed to have more opportunities at the net during the Power Play than the Tampa Bay Lightning did. If the Tampa Bay Lightning wanted to get back in this game, they would have to kick it up a notch and get aggressive with the Chicago Blackhawks.

The Chicago Blackhawks would take a bit of a cheap shot behind the Lightning net. Blackhawks defenseman Duncan Keith would take not one, but two shots on Ryan Callahan; one of which was in the back of the head. Thankfully for the Lightning, Callahan was able to keep his head (no pun intended) and not take an unnecessary penalty.

Just before the 12 minute point in the period, the Tampa Bay Lightning would kick it up a notch when Alex Killorn would catch Blackhawks goaltender Corey Crawford completely unawares and easily sunk the puck in the back of the net, tying the game for the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Following the Killorn goal, the Tampa Bay Lightning would put quite a bit of pressure on Crawford, but seemingly aware of his surrounding now Crawford was able to hold strong and turn all of the Lightning’s shots asunder.

When the buzzer would sound to end the period, the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Chicago Blackhawks would be tied at one. In the second period, the Blackhawks would put quite a bit more pressure on Vasilevskiy by putting up 12 shots on goal to the Lightning’s 8 for a 2 period total of 17-14 Lightning.

Unfortunately for the Lightning, the Blackhawks would continue their dominance in the faceoff circle going 23-15. The Lightning are going to need to tighten things up in the faceoff circle if they want to come out on top.

When the teams would hit the ice for the third period, there would be a lot of intensity. Unfortunately for the Lightning, the Blackhawks would be the first one to pierce the net in the third. Blackhawks left wing Brandon Saad would sink the puck through Vasilevskiy’s five-hole to give the Hawks the lead. The assist on the goal would go to Patrick Kane.

As we mentioned in our preview for tonight’s game, the combo of Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane had been neutralized by the Lightning defense in this series. As the game continued to press on the duo would score double the amount of points they have had in the entire series; a goal for Toews and an assist for Kane.

After Saad’s goal, the Tampa Bay Lightning knew that they would have to do something, and quickly, if they wanted to bring home the victory in tonight’s game. The Lightning definitely turned up the heat on the Hawks, making a few really good runs at Crawford, but he was able to turn every one of them away.

Just 1:30 remained on the clock when the Tampa Bay Lightning would finally pull Andrei Vasilevskiy to get an extra attacker on the ice. Steven Stamkos fired off a shot that looked like it was going to find its way to the back of the net, but alas it would go just shy.

The Lightning would continue to put the pressure on the Hawks, creating numerous scoring opportunities for themselves, but Corey Crawford would turn each and every one of them away. As the final seconds ticked off the clock and the buzzer sounded, the Chicago Blackhawks would steal one from the Tampa Bay Lightning and tie the series 2-2 as these two teams head to the Amalie Arena for Game 5 on Saturday night.

Consistency seemed to fail the Tampa Bay Lightning in this game. The Bolts would come out strong, but seem to let off a little bit as the game pressed on. The game seemed to shift back in the Tampa Bay Lightning’s favor around the midway point in the second period when Alex Killorn tied the game for the Bolts, but that all seemed to fade as the Lightning transitioned into the third period.

Then, in the final minutes of the 3^rd period, the Tampa Bay Lightning turned on the afterburners. Unfortunately, with just 3 minutes left in the game it was simply too little, too late for the Lightning. We continue to assert that if the Lightning could keep consistent pressure throughout the entire game, the outcome of tonight’s game would have been much different.

Another thing that really hurt the Lightning in this game was their lack of intensity in the faceoff circle. The Chicago Blackhawks would walk all over the Bolts in the faceoff circle, going 38-20 Blackhawks. Winning the faceoff, especially while in the attack zone, can play a crucial role in a team’s ability to win.

Many people will look to rookie goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy when it comes to finding a reason for tonight’s loss, but we would be one of those who would disagree with that assertion. Vasilevskiy has had no real experience in the post season and hasn’t played a significant amount of time in months.

We will concede that the Blackhawks second goal that sailed through the five-hole could have been avoided, but it is a well-known fact that even elite goaltenders make mistakes every once in a while.

The Tampa Bay Lightning is and has always been like one big family. In other words, when the team wins they all win, and when the team loses they all lose. The Lightning now have two days before they have to head into the Amalie Arena for Game 5. Not only will this give Ben Bishop time to rest and heal, but it will give the Bolts time to look at the tape from tonight’s game and make the necessary adjustments to get back on top.

These two titans of the ice will head back to Tampa on Saturday night as the Lightning will charge back into the Amalie Arena to take on the Chicago Blackhawks in Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. We may have to work a little harder if we want to raise the Cup high above their heads, but if anyone has the ability to get the job done; it is the Tampa Bay Lightning.

What do you think the Tampa Bay Lightning can take away from tonight’s game and use to their advantage in Game 5? What do you think the Lightning will need to do in order to pull out a win on Saturday night? Let us know what you think in the comments below.

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