After dropping three game in a row, the Tampa Bay Lightning make it four after a 5-1 loss to the New York Rangers.
Feb. 10, 2013; New York, NY, USA; New York Rangers left wing
Carl Hagelin(62) scores on Tampa Bay Lightning goalie
Mathieu Garon(32) during the second period at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Debby Wong-USA TODAY Sports
The game started with a bang. Unfortunately, it was definitely not to the Lightning’s advantage.
Thirty one seconds into the first period, Rangers LW Carl Hagelin was able net his second goal of the season, shooting one past Lightning Goaltender Mathieu Garon. The assists on that goal went to Rangers LW Rick Nash and Defenseman Dan Girardi.
At 11:16, Lightning RW B.J. Crombeen was sent to the penalty box for 2 minutes for High Sticking Rangers Center J.T. Miller. This gave the Rangers their first Power Play of the night. The Lightning were able to successfully kill the penalty.
Then at 15:13, Rangers Captain Ryan Callahan was able to steal the puck in the neutral zone and fired one past Garon for his 3rd goal of the season. This made the score 2-0 Rangers.
Nine seconds later, at 15:42, Nate Thompson was called by the refs for Holding LW Rick Nash. The Lightning penalty kill was able to hold off the Rangers during this penalty as well.
The Lightning got a Power Play opportunity early in the second period when Rangers LW Taylor Pyatt was sent to the box for 2 minutes for High Sticking Lightning LW Cory Conacher. The Rangers successfully killed this penalty.
At 9:58, Carl Hagelin scored his second goal of the night for the Rangers. The assist on that goal went to Defenseman Marc Staal. This brought the score to 3-0 Rangers.
Feb 7, 2013; Newark, NJ, USA; New Jersey Devils left wing
Patrik Elias(26) attempts to deflect the puck past Tampa Bay Lightning goalie
Anders Lindback(39) during the third period at the Prudential Center. The Devils defeated the Lightning 4-2. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports
After Hagelin’s second goal, Tampa Bay Lightning Head Coach Guy Boucher called Mathieu Garon to the bench, sending Anders Lindback to the net for the Lightning.
12:04 into the second period, Lightning Forward Alex Killorn was sent to the penalty box for 2 minutes for High Sticking Rangers LW Chris Kreider. The Lightning successfully killed this penalty as well.
Finally, at 14:42 in the Lightning were able to open up the scoring as Captain Vincent Lecavalier fired one past Rangers Goaltender Henrik Lundqvist off of a rebound. The assists on that goal went to Victor Hedman and Alex Killorn.
A good majority of the third period was rather uneventful.
It wasn’t until 12:22 in the period that a puck was chipped over the head of Keith Aulie, picked up by Rangers RW Arron Asham, and fired past Lindback making the score 4-1.
Adding insult to injury, Rangers LW Rick Nash was able to net his 3rd goal of the season at 19:51, with only 9 seconds left in the game.
This is the 3rd loss in a row that the Lightning have suffered on the road. The Lightning have won 5 of the 6 home games that they have played this season, but have only been able to capture one out six on the road so far this season.
January 19, 2013; Tampa FL, USA; Tampa Bay Lightning left wing
Ryan Malone(12) against the Washington Capitals during the second period at Tampa Times Forum. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Is this a case of the Road Trip Blues? That may not be a fair assessment at this point in the season.
With injuries to big time players like Vincent Lecavalier, B.J. Crombeen, Brendan Mikkelson, and Ryan Malone so far this season, the Lightning have found themselves down at least one key player for most of these road games.
However, a problem that the Lightning DO have to contend with is the increasing problem with turnovers. Sloppy turnovers in the neutral zone have lead to many goals against this season. This is something that they are going to have to get under control if they are going to keep themselves at the head of the division. Slowly, but surely, the Carolina Hurricanes and the Winnipeg Jets are creeping on the Lightning’s heels.
The Lightning look to end this losing streak when they take on the Montreal Canadiens on Tuesday, February 12th at the Tampa Bay Times Forum.
The Canadiens are currently 6-4-1 on the season. They have dropped three in a row with losses to the Boston Bruins, Buffalo Sabres, and most recently the Toronto Maple Leafs when they were shut out 6-0 at home.
It will be interesting to see what happens when these two teams clash in Tampa on Tuesday.