Dominic James, Darren Raddysh, Yanni Gourde, and Nikita Kucherov each collected one “goal” doubloon on Thursday night as the Lightning made the Jets walk the plank and sail back to Winnipeg with a 4-1 loss and kicked off Gasparilla weekend by capturing their first prize of the weekend
Raddysh and Gourde each had a goal and two assists; and Andrei Vasilevskiy saved 23 of 24 shots by the Jets.
It was a tight first period between Winnipeg and Tampa Bay, but James broke the scoreless tie just under 15 minutes into the first period with a snap shot goal past Connor Hellebuyck to make it a 1-0 Lightning lead that they never looked back on. He was assisted by Raddysh and J.J. Moser.
As the second period got under way, Raddysh struck for his 15th goal of the year on a slap shot that was assisted by Gourde and Zemgus Girgensons to make it a 2-0 match.
Kyle Connor got one goal back for the Jets ona tip-in shot 12 minutes into the second period that was assisted by Dylan Samberg and Mark Scheifele.
But the Lightning struck right back three minutes later on a deflected shot for Gourde that was assisted by Kucherov and Raddysh to extend Tampa’s lead to 3-1.
Then Kucherov joined the party just before the end of regulation on a wrist shot assisted by Gourde (his second of the night) and Girgensons (his second assist of the night as well) as the Lightning then went on to defeat Winnipeg 4-1.
Along with out-scoring the Jets, the Lightning out-shot them 37-24 as well in a big win to get Tampa’s version of Mardi Gras under way.
The Lightning needed this win to continue their momentum into what is likely to feel like their biggest game of the season on Sunday. The Lightning will welcome the Boston Bruins to Tampa on Sunday for the NHL’s outdoor series game being held in a rink built inside of Raymond James Stadium, home of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The scene is set as the Bruins, Lightning, the city of Tampa Bay, and the National Hockey League prepare to make history on what is also slated to be the coldest day Florida has seen in years and possibly, ever.
Puck drop Sunday night is set for 6:30PM EST.