The Tampa Bay Lightning (52-22-4) knocked off the New York Rangers (33-36-9) 5-3 on Friday night in the Big Apple.
A day after dropping a key divisional game to the rival Bruins, the Lightning started slowly in this game when Brady Skej scored at the 14:59 mark of the first to give the Rangers an early 1-0 lead. The Lightning answered early in the second period, though, in a key flurry as Cedric Paquette scored at the 3:15 mark and Alex Killorn scored at the 4:33 mark to give the Bolts a 2-1 lead.
The Lightning really took control of this game early in the third period, beginning when J.T. Miller scored a power play goal just :35 seconds in. Cedric Paquette added his second goal at 1:53 to make it 4-1 and Brayden Point scored at the 2:38 mark to make it 5-1. Though the Rangers pulled within two with goals from Filip Chytil and Chris Kreider, an empty net goal from Brayden Point made sure New York would get no momentum. Dan Girardi made it a 7-3 final with a goal in the final minute and Tampa Bay would reclaim first place over the Bruins going into the weekend.
Ondrej Pavelec made 43 saves on 49 shots in taking the loss, while Louis Domingue went 24-for-27 to get the win in the second game of a back-to-back. The Lightning return home for a huge Easter Sunday showdown with the Predators on Sunday night - the puck will drop at 6 PM at Amalie Arena. Pregame coverage begins on News Radio 970 WFLA beginning at 5 PM.
SCORING SUMMARY
1st Period
1. NY Rangers - Skjel - (Buchnevich, Desharnais) - 14:59
2nd Period
1. Tampa Bay - Paquette - (Miller, Sergachev) - 3:15
2. Tampa Bay - Killorn - (Cirelli, Hedman) - 4:33
3rd Period
1. Tampa Bay - PPG - JT Miller - (Hedman, Killorn) - 0:35
2. Tampa Bay - Paquette - (Conacher, Kunitz) - 1:53
3. Tampa Bay - Point - (Gourde) - 2:38
4. NY Rangers - Chytil - (Zuccarelo, Hayes) - 8:14
5. NY Rangers - Kreider - (Zibanejad, Fast) - 16:31
6. Tampa Bay - Empty Net - Point - (Gourde) - 18:16
7. Tampa Bay - PPG - Girardi - (Paquette, Kunitz) - 19:26
PENALTY SUMMARY
1st Period
1. Tampa Basy - Stamkos - (Boarding) - 16:53
2. Tampa Bay - Stamkos - (Fighting, Instigator, Misconduct) - 20:00
3. NY Rangers - Buchnevich - (Fighting, Tripping) - 20:00
2nd Period
1. Tampa Bay - Girardi - (Tripping) - 9:31
2. NY Rangers - Pionk - (Interference) - 10:04
3. Tampa Bay - JT Miller - (Hooking) - 12:33
4. NY Rangers - Namestnikov - (Interference) - 12:57
5. NY Rangers - Kreider - (Roughing) - 19:16
6. NY Rangers - Gourde - (Roughing) - 19:16
3rd Period
1. Tampa Bay - Kunitz - (Hooking) - 4:05
2. NY Rangers - Namestnikov - (Interference) - 18:44
SHOTS ON GOAL
Tampa Bay - 50
New York - 31