Bolts by the Bay
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Tampa Bay Lightning continues dominance, defeat the Detroit Red Wings

By Tasha St. Pierre

(Photo by Scott Audette/NHLI via Getty Images)
(Photo by Scott Audette/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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The Tampa Bay Lightning battled back from a slow start to seize control of the game and defeat the Detroit Red Wings for the second time this season.

The Tampa Bay Lightning has gotten off to a tremendous start this season. Coming into tonight’s contest with the Detroit Red Wings, the Lightning have registered a mere two losses this season, one of which came in a 5-4 shootout loss to the New Jersey Devils. Their efforts have led to a 17 point start to the season, which is enough to give the Bolts the top spot in the National Hockey League.

There was definitely a lot on the line for the Tampa Bay Lightning tonight. While it is still way too early to start hawk eyeing the league standings on a game-by-game basis, getting off to a strong start is definitely one of the keys to a successful season. When one of your biggest rivals comes to town, the wins never come easily.

In the first 20 minutes of play, the Tampa Bay Lightning essentially controlled the pace of the game. At least that’s what it looks like on paper. The Bolts outshot their Atlantic Division rivals 14-9 in the first period and controlled the faceoff circle 58-42 percent. Unfortunately, the Red Wings were the ones to strike first blood.

What made matters worse regarding the Red Wings’ opening goal is it came while the Tampa Bay Lightning were on a Power Play. The last time we checked, this is not how this is supposed to work. Red Wings forward Frans Nielsen would get the credit for the goal and the Red Team would come up with the early lead.

The good news here is the Lightning weren’t ready to head back to the locker room at the one-goal deficit. At 16:24 in the period, the Bolts would find themselves on the Power Play as Red Wings forward Martin Frk would serve two minutes in the sin bin for a Too Many Men on the Ice call. This would be the opening the Bolts were waiting for.

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Lightning forward, and leading goal scorer, Nikita Kucherov would pick up his 12th goal of the season to tie things up for the Bolts. Kucherov’s goal in tonight’s game tied a franchise record. Nikita Kucherov has now tied former captain Martin St. Louis for the longest point streak in franchise history.

Things were not quite as exciting in the second 20 minutes of play. In fact, about the only thing to increase in the second period was the amount of penalties assessed by both teams. Of course, this is nothing new when these two teams come together in the center of the ice.

There was one thing in the second period we feel compelled to call shenanigans on. Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Mikhail Sergachev and Red Wings forward Anthony Mantha got into a bit of a throwdown. Well, in reality Mantha put a beating on Sergachev, but that’s neither here nor there.

Now, there is no denying Sergachev kicked things off here. He did Cross Check Mantha from behind after what he considered a slight. In the seconds that followed Mantha threw off the gloves and proceeded to put a beatdown on Sergachev.

When the penalties were handed out, Sergachev got two minutes for Cross Checking and Mantha got two minutes for Roughing. Ok, let’s pump the brakes here for a moment. In what realm is this considered Roughing?

As far as we can see, Mantha dropped the gloves…Sergachev did not. We’re pretty sure this should’ve been a five minute penalty for Fighting. Unfortunately, this is what has simply become known as NHL Ref Logic. While it is definitely unfortunate, it is something the entire league has to adjust to.

When the buzzer sounded to end the second period of play, the Lightning and Red Wings were still tied up at one goal apiece. Much like the first period, the Lightning outshot the Red Wings; this time by 12-10 for a two-period total of 26-19. The Red Wings would wrestle control of the Faceoff Circle, but it wouldn’t give them much of an advantage in the overall scheme of things.

Now, the third period of play was almost all about the Tampa Bay Lightning. At 6:22 in the third, Steven Stamkos would score his fourth goal of the season to take the lead for the Lightning. This goal ties him with Nikita Kucherov and Martin St. Louis for the longest point streak in franchise history.

With less than three minutes left in the game, the Lightning would extend their lead over the Red Wings to two goals as Lightning forward Brayden Point picked up his fifth of the season with the assists on the goal accredited to Yanni Gourde and Ondrej Palat.

The Red Wings would attempt to mount a comeback in the minutes that would follow. At 17:36, the Lightning would find themselves on the Penalty Kill for the fifth time tonight as Mikhail Sergachev earned himself a one-way ticket to the sin bin for Hooking against Anthony Mantha.

72. Final. 3. 23. 2

This would open the door for the Red Wings to capitalize on the Lightning’s deficit and bring home a Power Play goal at the hands of captain Henrik Zetterberg. Fortunately for the Lightning, despite spending the final minutes of the period on the PK, they were able to hold off the Red Wings and pick up their ninth win of the season.

It’s pretty obvious tonight’s win can be largely attributed to the dynamic duo of Stamkos and Kucherov. At the same time, an equal amount of credit can be given to Lightning netminder Andrei Vasilevskiy. Vasy made some amazing saves tonight and really helped keep the Lightning in the game.

Vasilevskiy made 29 saves on 31 shots on goal, which gave the 23-year-old netminder a Save Percentage of .935. Tonight was a bit of a milestone for Andrei Vasilevskiy. In addition to playing in his 100th career game, he also picked up his 50th career win. It’s never a bad day to set a record; especially when said record is at the expense of the Detroit Red Wings.

The Lightning does not see the Red Wings again until January 7 when the Bolts will head to the Little Caesars Arena in Motown. Their final meeting of the season is set for February 15 when the Wings will make their way back to the Sunshine State for another Atlantic Division showdown.

Next up, the Tampa Bay Lightning will host the Anaheim Ducks on Saturday night. The Ducks are bound to be a bit rustled after the 8-3 beating they took tonight at the hands of the Lightning’s in-state rivals, the Florida Panthers.

Next: Steven Stamkos To Have His #91 Retired By Sarnia Sting

The Lightning will definitely have to bring their ‘A’ game if they want to emerge victoriously against a team with as much to prove at this point as the Anaheim Ducks do. The good news is, if the Lightning continues to play the way they have over the course of the last couple of games, a victory should be the least of their worries

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