Tampa Bay Lightning fall to the New York Rangers in overtime

After a chippy game across the board and sloppy play by the Lightning, the Bolts fell to the Rangers by a score 2-1 in overtime.

The Tampa Bay Lightning fell to the New York Rangers by a score of 2-1 that was deceptively narrow. Despite the game going to overtime and only losing by a single goal, this was one of, if not the, worst outings for the Bolts so far this season.

The first period was very slow for the Lightning. The Bolts struggled to get anything going and seemed to lack any kind of get up and go. The period was characterized by odd man rushes and Andrei Vasilevskiy being forced to bail out his team. This strategy didn’t work for very long and towards the end of the period, Chris Kreider was able to slip one by Vasilevskiy on a 2-on-1.

Vasilevskiy performed much better than anyone could have asked him to in the wake of constant defensive breakdowns. The score could have easily been higher, as the Rangers could have capitalized on a number of the odd man rushes they were given, including 2 breakaways. Thanks to Vasy, the Bolts were still in the game after the first period.

The Lightning began the second period with a bit more energy than they showed in the first. Just 90 seconds into the period, Steven Stamkos sent a backhand shot to the net that seemed to be perfectly aimed. Henrik Lundqvist was on the top of his game, however, and was able to make a miraculous blocker save.

After a beautiful save from Lundqvist, the puck traveled down the ice quickly and Michael Grabner batted it past Vasilevskiy. The goal was immediately waved off, however, as it was determined to be hit in by a high stick.

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Neither side was able to get much going after this. It would be a while before the next real scoring chance happened for either side.

After Victor Hedman and Mats Zuccarello almost dropped the gloves in the first period, Ryan Callahan and Steven Kampfer decided to go at it and received a major for fighting a piece. Just a bit later, there was a scrum in front of the Ranger’s net. Only one penalty emerged, and it was on Vladislav Namestnikov for cross-checking.

The Ranger’s power play didn’t go as expected at all. After a brilliant play from Brayden Point to get the puck into the offensive zone, Hedman was able to set up Yanni Gourde who wasted no time putting the puck behind a surprised Lundqvist. At the beginning of their Power Play, the Rangers were ahead by one. By the end of it, however, the game was tied. I’d call that an effective Penalty Kill from the Lightning.

The rest of the period was like a chess game, with neither team having anywhere to go. Both teams traded pressure and shots, but the goalies held their ground. Nikita Kucherov and Zuccarello both had shots that seemed destined for the back of the net, but both netminders were on their toes. After an especially wild final minute, the period came to an end with the two teams tied.

The third period began with what was almost a costly blunder for the Lightning. Vasilevskiy left his cage to play a puck and it was misplayed, and almost slid into the empty net. The Bolts dodged a bullet there, as that fluke could have become the game-winning goal.

It appeared that Alex Killorn had secured the lead for the Bolts after his shot entered the net while Lundqvist was screened. The goal was immediately waved off by the referees on accusations of goaltender interference.

There appeared to be little to no contact, so Lightning coach Jon Cooper decided to challenge the call. One rather short review later, the call on the ice was confirmed, and the goal was waived off.

Then the game exploded. The referees had failed to manage the game and its growing chippiness up until this point and it finally got out of hand. After a fight between J.T. Brown and Steven Kampfer, several scrums, and an exchanging of not too nice words, the referees were able to get the two teams apart again.

23. 2. 95. Final. 1

Somehow, someway, the Lightning were on the penalty kill again after the debacle. The call was on Killorn for slashing even though play was stopped and he didn’t actually touch anyone. We’re just as confused as you are.

The penalty was killed, but the game stayed just as chippy as it was before. The Lightning suffered from more defensive breakdowns, and once again, Vasilevskiy was the only reason the score remained tied.

The Lightning had the sloppiest end of the period they have had all season. Defensive breakdowns and failed clearing attempts ran rampant and it’s a wonder the Rangers didn’t score. Somehow, the Lightning made it to the end of the third and the game would go to overtime.

Overtime didn’t last very long, however, as J.T. Miller danced around the Lightning and buried the puck quickly.

Vasilevskiy was absolutely standing on his head against the Rangers. He single-handedly kept his team in the game for just about the entire night. The game wouldn’t have even gotten to overtime without him.

Passing was also a team issue. Sloppy passes from around the roster led to odd-man rushes for the Rangers and prevented the Bolts from getting any offensive momentum. They committed turnover after turnover and played like they were scrambling the entire game. They truly didn’t deserve to win or even get a point out of the matchup.

Next: Steven Stamkos, Nikita Kucherov Are NHL's October Stars

The Lightning will be facing the Columbus Blue Jackets on Saturday. The Blue Jackets thrashed the Florida Panthers by a score of 7-3 while the Bolts took on the Rangers. The Panthers have given the Bolts some pretty stiff competition so far this season, and the Bolts barely beat the Blue Jackets earlier this season. If the Lightning don’t tighten things up around the roster, Saturday’s game could be rough.

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