It was the worst of times, it was the best of times. Sincere apologies to Charles Dickens. Last night’s Tampa Bay Lightning win in overtime in Chicago was a tale of two games. For much of the game, the Chicago Blackhawks looked like the playoff contender. That meant the Lightning looked like one of the worst teams in the league. Ultimately, the visitors pulled out a victory from the jaws of defeat to win in overtime 4 – 3.
Original 6 Week
The Lightning schedule this week was ironic as they faced four of the Original 6 NHL teams on the road this week. Though it wasn’t as if the Bolts were playing in the Original 6 barns like Maple Leaf Gardens or the Montreal Forum. Last night’s game wasn’t in Chicago Stadium and tonight they aren’t going to play in Olympia Stadium. Those places were hell for visiting teams back in the day.
Of the four O6 opponents, only Chicago had a losing record so it was a tough road trip. During the first two games in Toronto and Montreal, the Lightning came out with a loss. Facing the Blackhawks last night was perhaps their best opportunity for a win this week. It sure started that way when Mitchell Chafee blasted a shot past Arvid Soderblom to open the scoring.
Power play goal for Tampa Bay!
Scored by Mitchell Chaffee with 09:01 remaining in the 1st period.
Assisted by Nikita Kucherov and Brayden Point.
Chicago: 0
Tampa Bay: 1#TBLvsCHI #Blackhawks #GoBolts pic.twitter.com/ZvyJTcZ9kp— NHL Goals (@nhl_goal_bot) January 25, 2025
The Worst of Times
After the Chaffee goal, the Blackhawks began playing better. They had several extended shifts in the offensive zone. This paid off for them as they scored two goals in less than three minutes to take a 2 – 1 lead. Chicago ended the first period with a one goal lead having scored two goals on five shots.
In the first five minutes of the second period, the Blackhawks scored again to take a 3 – 1 lead. Chicago was not only winning the game but it seemed they were winning every puck battle and were strong in the neutral zone.
With eight seconds remaining in the second period, the Lightning showed some compete against this cellar dwelling team. Nikita Kucherov who assisted on Chafee’s goal slipped a pass to Victor Hedman skating across in the slot. Hedman was on his backhand with the period about to expire. He lifted a backhanded shot towards Chicago’s net. Nick Paul tipped the puck past Soderblom to cut the Blackhawks lead to 3 – 2.
“HUGE GOAL FOR THE LIGHTNING!!!!!”
Heddy’s shot gets deflected by Nick Paul late in the second period! Another tip on the road by Paul.#TBLvsCHI
🎧: https://t.co/S6Y9Tynk9H
📻: @1025TheBone pic.twitter.com/LXvX3txDiQ— Lightning Audio Network (@BoltsRadio) January 25, 2025
The Best of Times
The final regulation period was a complete reversal of the first two. Despite a 3 – 2 lead, Chicago was playing back on their heels. Struggling teams tend to do this. They play not to lose rather than play to win. This worked in Tampa’s favor. They spent the majority of the third period in the Blackhawks zone. Ultimately, they had a 17 to 1 shot advantage in this period. Despite this better play from the Lightning, they were still down a goal.
With 50 seconds left in regulation, the desperation on the part of the Lightning was evident. Braydon Point won a faceoff in the Hawks zone. Darren Raddysh at the point slid the puck down to Kucherov. Looking for the right shot or pass as time is ticking away, Kucherov fires a pass to the stick of Jake Guentzel. Fortunately, Guentzel had his stick pointed towards Chicago’s net. Kucherov’s pass hit Guentzel’s stick on the tape and we’re all tied up at three. Could the Lightning now pull off a win in overtime?
JAKE GUENTZEL! Tampa ties it in the final minute of regulation with their net empty!#GoBolts pic.twitter.com/g7dfAjtU1s
— Hockey Daily 365 l NHL Highlights & News (@HockeyDaily365) January 25, 2025
Would A Win in Overtime Be Possible?
After the Lightning tied the game with seconds remaining, some frustration showed from the Blackhawks. With four seconds left in the third period, Teuvo Teravainin tripped Paul for a penalty.
As the overtime period began, the Lightning started with 1:56 with the extra man. They wouldn’t have a better chance to win in overtime than this. Coach Jon Cooper knew this and put out his top line of Point, Guentzel and Kucherov on the ice with his captain, Hedman.
These four stalwarts brought it home. Hedman, sliding towards the low slott, hit Kucherov in his office with the puck. In the blink of Soderblom’s eye, Kucherov blasted a slap shot for the game winner.
After assisting on the @TBLightning‘s tying goal with 41 seconds remaining, Nikita Kucherov buries the @Energizer overtime winner to give the Bolts two points! ✌️ pic.twitter.com/gAtD22HOAa
— NHL (@NHL) January 25, 2025
Three Stars
- Nikita Kucherov – 1 goal, 2 assists including the OT game winner
- Jake Guentzel – 1 goal, 1 assist
- Victor Hedman – 2 assists
What’s Next
The Lightning face the Red Wings in Detroit tonight. Their third set of back to back games this month. So far, they are 2-2-1 in the back to back games. Puck drops at 7:00 pm.
