5 Takeaways from Lightning vs. Jets

The first stop on the Lightning’s tour through Western Canada came in Winnipeg against the Jets, who currently have the least number of points among the four teams out west. Winnipeg jumped on Tampa Bay early, who was once again late to the party. The Jets would hang up seven goals on the night for a 7-4 victory over the Lightning.

So, how’d it happen?

1. The Trend Continues

Maybe it is just the dog days of the season, but the Lightning’s troubling trend of not starting on time continued again Tuesday night. For the third time in the last five games, Tampa Bay got down 2-0 in the opening frame. Tampa Bay has an offense capable of making up big deficits, but swimming upstream like this is not a recipe for success.

2. Clawing Back into it

Tampa Bay trailed 2-0 and 3-1 in the opening period. They were able to fight back into the game to get the score back to 3-3 after the first. While they have made a habit of getting down early, the Lightning have also made a habit of being able to get back into games.

3. Settling Down in the Second

After a helter skelter first period with six goals scored in all, the second period boasted zero goals between the Lightning and Jets. After getting back level, it would’ve been very much like the Lightning to get the game back under control and impose their will on their opponent.

4. Special Teams Making the Difference

Despite the lopsided final score, Tampa Bay was right there in the third. A powerplay goal for Winnipeg put the Jets ahead 4-3 and the Lightning allowed a shorthanded goal that proved to be the backbreaker in this one. Winnipeg winning the special teams battle against the Lightning was the difference in the game as Tampa Bay went scores on three powerplay chances in the game.

5. Tough Night for Vasilevskiy

Sunday night was a signature night for Andrei Vasilevskiy in the win over Chicago in which he made some of the best stops of his career. Things did not go as well in Winnipeg as Vasy allowed five goals on 31 shots. Most of the Jets goals came from in close on high quality chances, so its hard to place much blame on the goaltender. Vasilevskiy would like to have just one back at least, the third Jets goal in the first period in which he got most of the puck but eventually leaked through to give the Jets a 3-1 lead.