With the 2018 All-Star Game behind them, the Tampa Bay Lightning started the second half of their season on the road against the Winnipeg Jets in the first game of a four-game Western Canadian swing. In a match-up of a pair of division leaders, these two teams played an evenly-matched opening period.
After the teams returned to the ice for the second period, the Jets took over and the Lightning had no response to the Jets’ size and speed.
Patrik Laine, Kyle Connor, and Bryan Little each scored goals while Michael Hutchinson made 23 saves in his season debut as the Jets topped the Bolts 3-1 at Bell MTS Place. As a result, the Lightning’s three-game winning streak came to an end. Winnipeg earned a key victory in the first game of a 10-game homestand. Louis Domingue suffered his first loss in three starts for the Lightning, finishing with 34 saves. Matthew Peca notched the lone goal for Tampa Bay, his first of the season. Defenseman Victor Hedman returned to the lineup after missing five games due to a lower body injury. Fellow defenseman Mikhail Sergachev also played after missing the previous two games due to being a healthy scratch.
Final numbers from tonight’s 3-1 loss in Winnipeg. #TBLvsWPG pic.twitter.com/qgjpX2YLBj
— Tampa Bay Lightning (@TBLightning) January 31, 2018
Brayden Point, coming off his first All-Star game appearance, helped set up Peca’s tally late in the first period.
After taking a pass from Jake Dotchin, Point feathered a pass to Peca, who drifted into the slot behind the Jets’ defenders. Peca then displayed soft hands, lifting a shot from in close top shelf past Hutchinson for a 1-0 Lightning lead with 29 seconds remaining in the first period. That play was the lone Lightning highlight in a night where they struggled to get things going offensively.
The tide of this game began to turn early in the second period when the Jets received an extended 5-on-3 power play.
With Braydon Coburn and Chris Kunitz serving penalties, Laine ripped a one-timer past Domingue for his 23rd of the season, tying the game 1-1. Tampa Bay came close to adding a second goal, but they had three different shots hit posts this evening. After killing off another power play, the Lightning fell behind 2-1 thanks to the efforts of Connor. Blake Wheeler‘s shot was denied, but Connor pounced on the rebound for his 16th of the season at 8:35.
Little put the final touch on this one when he knocked home a rebound in front to give Winnipeg a 3-1 with 5:25 left on the clock.
The Lightning will return to action Thursday night when their road trip continues in Calgary for a contest against the Flames. Puck drops at 9 pm.
Our Three Stars of the Game
1st Star: Patrik Laine – A power play goal and a game-high six shots on goal. Finished the night plus-1
2nd Star: Kyle Connor – Scored the game-winning goal and added five shots on goal while finishing plus-1
3rd Star: Matthew Peca – Notched his first goal of the season in his fourth game.
