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Aggression allows Tampa’s offense to shut down Calgary’s defense

Aggression from Tampa Bay’s offense dominates Calgary in a high scoring frenzy that seemed would never end. It was game #500 for Andrei Vasilevskiy and Nikita Kucherov ended up setting a new career high with numerous assists throughout the night. Victor Hedman was a late scratch due to a lower-body injury which was a big blow to the defense. As a result, Steven Santini slots into the lineup for the first time as a member of the Lightning. Also, Anthony Cirelli returned to the lineup which ended up being a jolt that the offense needed to take over the game.

 

Fire starter

Starting off, Lightning began the game with a handful of chances but nothing too dangerous in the Flames zone. For the start of the game, it was Tampa Bay who had more control of the puck and played it better than against Edmonton. However, it was the Flames who strike first. On a 2-on-1 play Jonathan Huberdeau scored to give the Flames the 1-0 lead. Cirelli tried his best to disrupt that play but it was to no avail. Later on, Lightning nearly tied the game, but Dan Vladar denied it and kept the lead for Calgary.

A needed jolt

Lightning continuously applied pressure on Calgary’s defense but Vladar was able to make save after save. Having Cirelli back in the lineup immediately impacted the offense and you could tell a goal would be coming sooner rather than later. Again, Tampa turned up the aggression yet still could not find the back of the net. Before the period ended Lightning finally scored and were awarded for all that attacking. Kucherov had a breakaway and there would be no stopping him from scoring his fourteenth of the season. 1-1 was the score after the period ended with the shots even at 9 a piece.

Aggression leads to goal scoring

Second period did not so clean for either team, but the Cirelli line continued to generate chances. The aggression kept coming from the Lightning and eventually gained the lead. Jake Guentzel captivated on the odd man rush to give Tampa Bay the 2-1 lead. Afterwards, Lightning received the first power play of the night with a great chance to extend their lead. On said power play Brayden Point scored his 100th career power play goal to make it 3-1 Lightning. It was clear the aggression from Tampa Bay would not end and they would go right back on the power play.

Calagry rushes back

Just when it looked like the Flames would kill off the penalty, Cirelli scored with a second left on the man advantage. Score would be 4-1 after Cirelli had an open net to score on. Immediately after, Nazem Kadri made up for his delay of game penalty and scored to cut the lead 4-2. J.J. Moser stumbled which allowed Kadri to stay with the puck and score because of it. Then, Calgary made it a one goal game after nobody picked up Connor Zary who caught the Lightning sleeping. Score was now 4-3 with five minutes left in the period. Tampa played sloppy in the tail end of the period and are lucky Calgary was not able to take more advantage and tie the game.

Raining goals

Third period began with Tampa Bay scoring in the opening minute to make it a two-goal game again. This time it was Brandon Hagel joining in on the fun and it was now 5-3 Lightning. At this point of the game the Bolts looked to play more conservative to keep the lead intact and prevent a comeback bid. However, that would not stop Tampa from keeping the aggression and would still score if a great chance developed. Flames then coughed up a penalty with 9:33 to go as the game continued to slip away from their reach.

Hat trick and a career night

Once again, Lightning scored on the power play to recapture the three-goal lead. Guentzel scored his second of the night and Kucherov now has 5 points on the night with the score reading 6-3. Score read as if this was a low scoring football game, and it kept going. Extra point is good with the goal from Conor Geekie making it 7-3. Next, Guentzel nets a hat trick and again Kucherov adds another point on his night as it is 8-3 late in the period. All-in-all, Lightning’s offense stole the show, and the Flames had no chance of ever getting back into the swing of things. The 8-3 win saw Kucherov net a career high five assists as it was all smiles after the final whistle.

 

Three stars of the night

1st star: Nikita Kucherov: 1 goal and 5 assists (career high)

2nd star: Jake Guentzel: 3 goals

3rd star: Brayden Point: 1 goal and 3 assists

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