The depth scoring of the Tampa Bay Lightning has been discussed as one of the biggest reasons for their success this year. The depth is great, but their star power is really what makes them great. Those stars shone very brightly on Thursday night. Steven Stamkos scored 2 goals, Nikita Kucherov had a goal and 2 assists, and Victor Hedman had 3 assists to fill up the score sheet. Those great performances were the catalysts for a 4-1 victory over the Detroit Red Wings.
The Lightning had their backs against the wall when Steven Stamkos committed a penalty barely a minute into the game. The Bolts’ fresh legs were put to good use as they killed off the Detroit power play. Stamkos then redeemed himself. He came out of the penalty box and dropped the hammer. He got it past Jimmy Howard to give the home team a 1-0 lead. The other star of the Tampa Bay Lightning wouldn’t let Stamkos be alone in getting on the score sheet early. Nikita Kucherov assisted Stamkos on his goal and scored his own on the power play just over 3 minutes later. The Red Wings got a whole lot of pressure in the Lightning zone. Detroit managed 17 shots on goal in the period, but Andrei Vasilevskiy was more than up to the task and Tampa Bay carried that 2-0 lead into the 2nd period.
The 1st great chance of the 2nd period was Kucherov’s. The Bolts’ winger got behind the Detroit defense on a breakaway, but Howard was able to get a piece of the puck and send it away. The period didn’t have the same scoring chances that the 1st period did. The Lightning looked to change that when they got a power play chance with around 6 minutes left in the period. The best chance of those 2 minutes went to Detroit. Vasilevskiy made the save, but had to fall to his rear end to do so. The period wouldn’t go without a goal. The Bolts made the most of their 2nd power play opportunity in the period. Stamkos dropped the hammer yet again for his 2nd of the night. Detroit answered right back. Tomas Tatar scored in the final seconds of the period to cut the deficit back to 2 heading to the 3rd.
The Lightning weren’t comfortable with just the 2-goal lead. Less than 2 minutes into the period they got the lead back to 3. Alex Killorn scored his 11th of the season after a great feed from Nikita Kucherov. Detroit continued to get chances, but the Bolts continued to prove they were just the better team on this night.
The Bolts will finish this brief, 2-game homestand on Saturday night. Tampa Bay will welcome Brian Boyle and the New Jersey Devils to Amalie Arena. Puck is scheduled to drop at 7 pm with pregame coverage beginning an hour prior on News Radio 970 WFLA.
SCORING SUMMARY
1ST PERIOD
1. TBL - Stamkos - (Hedman, Kucherov) - 3:55
2. TBL - PPG - Kucherov - (Namestnikov, Hedman) - 7:05
2ND PERIOD
1. TBL - PPG - Stamkos - (Kucherov, Hedman) - 18:08
2. DET - PPG - Tatar - (Kronwall, Bertuzzi) - 19:29
3RD PERIOD
1. TBL - Killorn - (Kucherov, Point) - 1:35
PENALTY SUMMARY
1ST PERIOD
1. TBL - Stamkos - (High Sticking) - 1:25
2. DET - Mantha - (Holding) - 5:58
3. TBL - Coburn - (Tripping) - 18:43
2ND PERIOD
1. DET - Dekeyser - (Holding) - 13:23
2. DET - Mantha - (Interference) - 16:43
3. TBL - Namestnikov - (Slashing) - 18:36
3RD PERIOD
1. DET - Nielsen - (Cross Checking) - 19:32
SHOTS ON GOAL
Tampa Bay - 32
Detroit - 39