The Tampa Bay Lightning (40-19-5) fell to the Chicago Blackhawks (28-28-8) 5-2 on Thursday night at Amalie Arena.
This game started well for the Lightning, who played well through the first and second period. In the second period, Brayden Point broke through at the 15:31 The Bolts appeared ready to take control of this game when Nikita Kucherov scored just seventeen seconds into the third period to give Tampa Bay a 2-0 lead.
That's when the wheels came off for Tampa Bay. After Brandon Saad scored at the 4:36 mark for Chicago, Dominik Kubalik scored just twenty-six seconds later to tie the game 2-2. A shot from former Lightning Slater Koekkoek somehow found it's way into the net to make it 3-2, and from there Chicago was able to take control. Dominik Kubalik scored two more goals in the final eight minutes of the game, including an empty net goal, to complete the hat trick and secure the win.
Curtis McElhinney took the loss in net for Tampa Bay, going 22-for-26 in net. Corey Crawford got the win making several spectacular saves at different points throughout the game - all told he went 36-for-38 in the winning effort.
The Lightning remain at home for the next three games, and will try to snap their four game losing streak on Saturday as they host Calgary. Puck drop between the Lightning and Calgary Flames is scheduled for 4 PM on Saturday - pregame coverage begins at 3 PM on News Radio WFLA.