The Bolts overtime struggles continue..
One could say history continues to repeat itself. The Tampa Bay Lightning started off strong against the Toronto Maple Leafs, putting the pressure on early in the first period and going up 4-1. The big guys carried most of the scoring in the first period. Nikita Kucherov banked two goals and an assist, both were one-timers. Victor Hedman posted a goal and two assists and Brayden Point had a goal and an assist.
Regardless of the outcome, it was a multi-point game again for Kucherov, the 99th of his career. He’s now one away from joining Steven Stamkos (146) and Martin St. Louis (109) as the only Lightning players to hit the one hundred mark.
The Lightning played well defensively in the first period and had a 4-1 lead to show for it. However, the story quickly changed to start the second period. They started to let up, something we've seen regularly throughout the season.
Toronto had multiple offensive-zone shifts that extended much longer than they’d like. Auston Matthews scored after an icing call on the Lightning. Minutes later, he scored again. We’ve watched this movie before..
A D-zone turnover gave Calle Jarnkrok an opportunity for a rebound and Mitch Marner was able to score off the rush. Toronto’s two goals in eight seconds are the second-fastest two goals against by an opposing team in Lightning history.
As the story started to play itself out, looking eerily similar to the last time these two teams met, the Bolts began to buckle down. Soon after, Calvin deHaan took a shot and Brandon Hagel was able to shove the puck across the line. The scoring evened out right before the end of the third period.
A last minute push from the Bolts wasn’t enough to avoid overtime, something they've struggled with tremendously. For the fourth straight overtime game this season, they lost the opening faceoff, meaning they wouldn't gain possession of the puck for 3-on-3.
Morgan Rielly set Jarnkrok up 46 seconds in and he banked the game winner. The Lightning have been outshot 14-0 by their opponent in overtime games this season.