Tampa Bay Lightning Highlights: Brayden Point Start Things Off Against Senators (Video)
Tampa Bay Lightning forward Brayden Point picked up where he left off last night by starting off the scoring early in the first period against the Ottawa Senators.
The Tampa Bay Lightning kicked off their back-to-back series on a definite high note last night at Madison Square Garden as the Lightning picked up a 3-2 victory over the New York Rangers. Tonight, the Lightning are back at it again as they face off with their Atlantic Division rivals, the Ottawa Senators.
Much like every other game between now and the end of the 2016-17 regular season, every single point is crucial to the Lightning achieving their ultimate goal of making their way into postseason contention. If the Lightning can continue to keep momentum on their side, they’ll find themselves in a really good place.
The Lightning knew when they took the ice tonight they would have to set the pace really early. Unsurprisingly, Lightning forward Brayden Point found himself at the center of the action. As most Lightning fans know by now, it was Brayden Point who sealed the deal for the Bolts against the Rangers last night in the Big Apple.
Tampa Bay Lightning
Things start to get really interesting around the three-minute point in the first period. Brayden Point gets control of the puck just inside the Lightning defensive zone and takes off through the neutral zone and towards the net. Under intense coverage, he passes the puck back to Lightning defenseman Jake Dotchin.
Dotchin wastes absolutely zero time in putting the puck on the net. Unfortunately for him, Senators goaltender Mike Condon, who is holding down the fort for the injured Craig Anderson, would make the save. The thing is, Condon wouldn’t be quite so lucky when it comes to the rebound.
As Dotchin is making his move, Point continues to speed towards the net. When Dotchin’s shot is turned away by Condon, Point is quick to get a stick on it and slam it into the wide open net. Unfortunately for Point, he also slammed himself into the end boards as he lost his footing by the net.
Brayden Point took a second to get back to his feet, but he was able to get up with little to no issue. At the same time, he was clutching his elbow as he made his way off the ice. The good news is, Point was back on the ice just moments after the incident and seems to be nothing more than a stinger.
The freshly 21-year-old sniper has quickly transformed himself into one of the most integral pieces in the Lightning’s offensive core. Tonight’s first-period goal is Point’s third point (and third goal) in two games. In the 54 games he’s played thus far, he’s scored 12 goals and 15 assists for a total of 27 points.
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The Lightning has definitely made a statement in the second period of play. For the first time in the last four periods of play, the Lightning has taken charge of the pace of the game and outshot the Senators 11-6 in the second period. This is the kind of play which will help them bring home the two points.