Another game that needed overtime this time ends on a high note for the Lightning as they finish the road trip with 9 out of 10 points. Prior to puck drop it was announced Bryaden Point and Victor Hedman would be out with lower body injuries. Both were missed in the lineup, but the team was able to rally without them. Nikita Kucherov saw his point streak come to an end while Anthony Duclair kept his going. Despite having miscues with the puck all night long, Tampa was able to keep the game close and have it go to overtime. Ducks showed great speed being the fresher team and constantly pressuring the Lightning. Jonas Johansson played lights out to keep the Bolts in the game and eventually take home the win in overtime.
Flat and sloppy start
To begin, game started off slow for both teams as the early minutes came and went. Neither team registered a shot on goal for the first three and a half minutes of the game. Quickly, the momentum shifted to the home team. Johansson was tested early and often. Lightning struggled with the puck in the offensive zone which allowed the Ducks to have a lot of time on the other side of the ice. As the period went on Tampa did not look in sync and were lucky to have the game still scoreless. Being the fresher team it was no surprise how quicker the Ducks were on the ice. That is not to say that the Lightning were flat or fatigued. Tampa clearly had energy yet could not transition that energy with their play on the ice.
Quack attack
First penalty of the night was called on Alex Killorn but the Lightning could not captivate on the man advantage. Nearly a minute later Ducks had their first chance on the power play with Darren Raddysh sent off for holding. Just like the Lightning, Anaheim also could not score on the power play. However, Ducks opened up the scoring with a perfect tap in by Ross Johnston. Johansson no chance on the play and that gave Ducks the 1-0 lead. That would be the only goal that would be scored in the opening frame despite a late power play for the Ducks. Seemed like Johansson was the only player showing life for the Lightning who clearly miss Point and Hedman out there.
Penalty kills shift the game
Second period started better for the Lightning but that did not last long. Once again, Tampa failed to keep possession of the puck If it were not for Johansson this game would have been blown wide open for the Ducks. As the early minutes of the period passed, the fourth line of the Ducks continued to give the Lightning defense trouble. Brandon Hagel was called for holding the stick giving the Ducks their second power play of the game. Then, on the penalty kill Tyler Motte was called for tripping giving Anaheim a prime 5-on-3 power play. Thankfully, Lightning were able to kill off the penalty and minutes later would finally find a goal.
Duclair streak going strong
Duclair kept his scoring streak going with a goal to tie the game up 1-1. Nick Perbix broke up a play and passed the puck to Duclair who then fired it past Lukas Dostal for the goal. Minutes later Tampa took the lead with a goal from Luke Glendening. This was a much-needed change of pace for the Bolts after how poorly they were playing to start the game. Ducks would get a late power play to end the second period, but the Lightning once again killed off the penalty. Period ended with the Lightning holding a 2-1 lead.
Seven-game point streak for Duke 🔥 pic.twitter.com/oXPpuUVJhm
— Tampa Bay Lightning (@TBLightning) March 25, 2024
Abysmal start
The third period did not start off the way Tampa would have liked to. A defensive breakdown nearly 3 minutes into the period gave the Ducks a perfect chance to tie up the game. They would do just that with a goal from Pavel Mintyukov who tied the game 2-2. After the goal, Lightning looked to tie up the game but could not get many solid chances. Teams exchanged possession of the puck with only a few good chances going through.
Another overtime on the horizon
With half the period left it was no crunch time to score the go-ahead goal. Bolts continued to make mistakes yet were able to keep any damage done and the score remained 2-2. Clearly, Anaheim’s speed was still difficult for the Lightning to slow down yet could not take the lead despite having the puck for more time. Soon after, Ducks drew up three consecutive scoring chances that somehow Johansson was able to save. Lightning now looked lost in tan unfavorable part of the game with the final minutes looming. Another game would need overtime to have a winner and the Lightning had just played in one the night before in Los Angeles.Â
Cirelli to the rescue
In overtime, Lightning had the possession of the puck first and kept it for a bit until the Ducks were able to get the puck back. Mason MacTavish was driving the puck with an odd-man rush when he then tried to force a pass that Anthony Cirelli was able to pick off. Hagel joined him the other way on the 2-on-0 rush and Cirelli scored the game winning goal to defeat the Ducks 3-2 in overtime. Lightning finish the road trip with a 9 out of possible 10 points and get a much needed win. Team will return home on Wednesday to welcome the Boston Bruins.
AC comin' in clutch in OT 🤌 pic.twitter.com/F5ovxyxxrQ
— Tampa Bay Lightning (@TBLightning) March 25, 2024
Three stars of the game
1st star: Jonas Johansson – Saved 30 of 32 shots faced
2nd star: Anthony Cirelli – 1 goal (gwg in overtime)
3rd star: Pavel Mintyukov – 1 goal and 3 blocks
