The Tampa Bay Lightning (26-24-8) blew a late lead to go to overtime for the second consecutive night before knocking off the Colorado Avalanche (16-38-3) 3-2 on Sunday night in Denver.
The Avalanche started well against the Lightning, forcing Ben Bishop, who had won his last three games in net, to make some strong saves early. Once he did, the Bolts began to apply pressure in the first period, that culminated in a goal from Brayden Point with under two minutes to go in the first period. Jake Dotchin was called for slashing moments later that put the Avs on the power play – Colorado applied a ton of pressure in an attempt to get the game tied before the first intermission, but Ben Bishop stood tall and ensured Tampa Bay would have a lead going into the first break.
It was a lead the Bolts were able to build on in the second period, when Vladislav Namestnikov scored at 10:09 in the second to take a 2-0 lead. Overall the Lightning continued to apply pressure on Colorado, outshooting the Avs 13-6 in the second period and 30-14 through the first two periods.
Colorado began pushing back in the third period, when Mikko Rantanen scored just 2:46 into the frame to cut the Lightning lead in half and make it 2-1. Tyler Johnson had a goal that was overturned for goalie’s interference midway through the frame, and that would prove to be huge when Matt Duchene scored with just fourty-two seconds remaining in the third period to force overtime. However, overtime belonged to the Lightning, as they outshot Colorado 3-1 including a spectacular goal from Jonathan Drouin that would lift Tampa Bay to a 3-2 win.
Ben Bishop was spectacular in net, earning his fourth straight win when he has started, saving 27 of 29 shots on net. Calvin Pickard did everything he could for Colorado, going 37 of 40 in net for the home team.
The Lightning return home to battle the Edmonton Oilers on Tuesday. Faceoff from Amalie Arena is set for 7:30 on Tuesday night – hear it all beginning with pregame coverage at 7 PM on News Radio 970 WFLA.
SCORING SUMMARY
1ST PERIOD
1. Tampa Bay - Point - (Killorn, Hedman) – 18:18
2ND PERIOD
1. Tampa Bay - Namestnikov - (Filppula, Boyle) – 10:09
3RD PERIOD
1. Colorado – Rantanen - (Comeau, Duchene) – 2:46
2. Colorado – Duchene – (Barrie, MacKinnon) – 19:18
OVERTIME
1. Tampa Bay – Drouin – (None) – 2:27
PENALTY SUMMARY
1ST PERIOD
1. Tampa Bay – Filppula – (Hooking) – 6:47
2. Colorado – Comeau – (Roughing) – 12:01
3. Tampa Bay – Dotchin – (Slashing) – 18:38
2ND PERIOD
1. Colorado – Zadorov – (High Sticking) – 3:31
2. Tampa Bay - Brown- (Slashing) – 12:46
3RD PERIOD
1. Tampa Bay – Drouin – (Cross Checking) – 4:57
OVERTIME
(None)
SHOTS ON GOAL
Tampa Bay - 40
Colorado - 29