Tom Wilson scored a late power play goal to give Washington a 5-4 win over Brayden Point and the Tampa Bay Lightning. Point earned a hat trick for the Bolts yet left the ice frustrated with another collective team struggle on defense.
The Lightning came out quickly yet again, scoring within the game’s first four minutes. Bolts forward Jake Guentzel stole a puck and promptly attempted to pass it to Brayden Point. Trevor van Riemsdyk deflected the initial pass. However, Guentzel regained possession and got the pass to Point the second time. Point then backhanded the shot past Capitals goalie Charlie Lindgren to open the scoring.
Point would score again later on the power play when Victor Hedman and Nikita Kucherov fed a pass to Lindgren’s left. Point gracefully lifted the puck past.
Washington found the scoresheet midway through the second period with a goal by Andrew Mangiapane. The Capitals played the period with a sense of urgency, and rightly so. Bolts netminder Andrei Vasilevskiy had shut them out in four straight periods dating back to October’s 3-0 shutout.
Washington would tie the game at two on a shorthanded goal by left-winger Aliaksei Protas.
Mikey Eyssimont scored in the second period’s final minute with an all-out hustle effort on a wraparound goal.
Lightning Defense fades late
The Capitals scored quickly in the third period, with Dylan Strome getting one through on a 2-on-1. As they continued to press, the Bolts continued to struggle on defense.
However, the Lightning would benefit from one of the more awkward plays in recent memory. Lindgren took control of a wayward puck in front of his crease. Losing his sense of where he was on the ice, he back-passed it to the boards behind him and put the puck in his net.
Brayden Point was the last player to touch the puck on an errant Vasilevskiy pass. Therefore, he was credited with the goal and the hat trick.
Washington would rally to win the game in the latter part of the third period. John Carlson tied the game midway through the period on a Washington rush. Then, Anthony Cirelli’s seemingly go-ahead goal was nullified with a four-minute high-sticking call with five minutes left.
Wilson would then score on the ensuing power play for the victory. It was the first time Washington had led the entire game. The Lightning had again started out strong just to limp to the finish in second place.
“It’s an unfortunate circumstance that that happened,” Head Coach Jon Cooper said. “But in the end, we’ve got to kill it off, and we didn’t.”
Point shines despite the loss
Point has scored nine goals in his last seven games played. Five of those nine have been on the power play. Eight of his 15 goals for the season have been on the power play.
Point, however, was left frustrated at the turn of events of the game.
“You obviously want to win the game. It’s tough,” Point said. “I don’t think it’s a work ethic thing. Sometimes, we lose our structure.”
“We’re working hard but not as smart. I think it’s costing us a bit.”
Special teams see mixed results
Tampa Bay’s struggles with the power play drew criticism from fans early this season. However, the power play has been resurgent in the past few games.
Tonight’s power play started strong. Bolts head coach Jon Cooper has been tinkering with special team lines, trying to find the best chemistry. The power play goal in the second period had the look of old with good puck movement. Kucherov then fake-shot it over to the left circle for Point, where he snapped it to the open side of the net.
The look was familiar—the one change: Point instead of former Bolt Steven Stamkos. The Bolts Center has been moved to the left wing on the power play first unit.
This pass and finish 🤌 pic.twitter.com/jSyDmvzHEd
— Tampa Bay Lightning (@TBLightning) November 28, 2024
“After starting slow, we’ve been on a tear,” Cooper said. “It’s a lot of buy-in from the guys and a great work plan.”
“There’s some habits you’ve got to break, but they’re doing a good job.”
The power play unit also had frustrating moments. The second power play opportunity saw several looks but no goals. Later in the period, Washington scored a shorthanded goal. Despite good offensive pressure from the Lightning, Hedman appeared to get crossed defensively, allowing Protas to gain a skating advantage with the puck. Protas would then lift the puck past Vasilevskiy.
Jon Cooper coaches 900th game
Lightning head coach Jon Cooper coached his 900th career game this evening, all with Tampa Bay. Cooper replaced Guy Boucher on March 25, 2013, and has built an impressive resume. In his 13th season, Cooper is currently the longest-tenured coach in the National Hockey League.
The Prince George, British Columbia native won two back-to-back Stanley Cups with the Bolts in 2020 and 2021. Tampa Bay attempted a threepeat in 2022. However, they fell short to the Colorado Avalanche in six games. The 2014-15 team also made an appearance in the Final.
The team honored Cooper with a video montage midway through the first period. Cooper, coaching during the timeout, did not seem to realize the moment. However, when he discovered the crowd was on their feet for him, the Bolts leader humbly acknowledged their ovation and thanked them.
“I’m going to have to watch it (the video montage),” Cooper said. “I missed the whole thing.”
“I came to this town to perform a job, and 900 games later, I’m in a city I never want to leave. It’s been a phenomenal experience for myself and my family.”
After tonight’s loss, Cooper’s coaching record stands at 536-287-77.
Three Stars of the Game
1. Tom Wilson, Washington. The Capital you love to hate, Wilson scored the game winner. You have to give him credit where credit is due.
2. Brayden Point, Tampa Bay. The star center tallied a hat trick, even if one was gift. His leadership despite the loss is immeasurable.
3. John Carlson, Washington. Carlson evened up the score when he needed to in the third period.
Up Next
The Tampa Bay Lightning head to Nashville for a Black Friday afternoon game against the Predators. The puck drop is at 3 pm.
