Bolts forward Nick Paul scored three minutes into overtime on an emotional night to lead the Tampa Bay Lightning over the Nashville Predators, 3-2. The evening marked the return of former Bolt and captain Steven Stamkos. However, Paul and the Bolts carried the night with a thriller of an ending.
Brayden Point opened the scoring for the Lightning halfway through the first period with assist from linemate Jake Guentzel. Point cut through three Nashville players to make a spectacular backhand past Juuse Saros. Point followed up late in the first period with an assist to Mitch Chaffee to extend the Bolts’ lead to two.
Tampa Bay continued to play strong to start the game and control the momentum. In control through most of the first period, the Lightning showed excellent ice presence and puck movement. However, the second period brought back a familiar omen.
Bolts’ Second Period Woes Continue
Undeniably an issue since last season, the Lightning’s second period struggles continued tonight. Nashville came out strong in the period, outshooting the Bolts, 14-4.
Sloppy penalties and poor defensive play led to a Ryan O’Reilly goal halfway through the period. J.J. Moser interfered against Luke Evangelista, and the error led to a flat-footed line change by Tampa Bay. As a result, that left O’Reilly in perfect position to get one past Andrei Vasilevskiy.
The Bolts had three penalties in the period, which limited their ability to produce any offense. Nashville continued to push the Lightning. Gustav Nyquist would tie the game with less than two minutes to play in the period.
Paul to the Rescue
Despite the poor second period performance, the Lightning rebounded and pressed most of the third period. However, Saros took control of the defensive play for Nashville with stellar saves.
Where Saros controlled the Nashville end of the ice, Vasilevskiy did the same on his side. Both goalies skillfully kept their opponents out of the net throughout the third. As the game moved into overtime, both teams could sense that one miscue would determine the course of the game.
Although Nashville controlled the tempo for the majority of overtime, it would be Guentzel who would manage to win the puck and find Paul through the slot for a tap-in past Saros.
WHAT A BEAUTY. pic.twitter.com/7bBJiAJUG0
— Tampa Bay Lightning (@TBLightning) October 29, 2024
“I went to the net and opened up, I realized we had a two-on-one,” Paul said. “We (he and Guentzel) communicated pass and into the net.”
The Emotional Return of Steven Stamkos
Since signing with the Predators in July, there has been great anticipation for the return of Stamkos to Amalie Arena. Not surprisingly, the atmosphere both inside and outside the facility was electric.
During the game, fans wore their favorite Stamkos jersey. Not to mention, several were donning Nashville’s yellow and white colors with the “91” emblazoned on the back.
As team warmups started before the game, crowds wrapped around the glass to glimpse the former Bolts captain. After 16 years in Lightning Blue, he was sporting a new color scheme. Admitting earlier that he anticipated the emotions of returning would strike upon hitting the ice, Stamkos calmly took shots.
Stamkos lined up against old teammate Brayden Point to take the opening faceoff, the crowd rose to their feet. With a boisterous roar of approval from the stands, the two friends readied themselves as the official signaled a start to play.
But Point won the puck.
Without doubt, the hometown fans embraced the future hall of famer. They were loud and supportive every moment Stamkos held their attention.
At the first television timeout, all eyes raised high to the scoreboard. As the long-awaited video tribute to Stamkos played, the Lightning faithful wiped away tears of emotion. That feeling swept through the arena.
Afterwards, the capacity crowd rose to their feet with loud cheers and adoration for their forever hometown hero.
As his number shone across the ice, Stamkos came over the Nashville wall and skated gracefully towards center ice. With an ovation probably not heard since he hoisted the Stanley Cup three years ago, Stammer tipped his hand to those in attendance. A “Thank You” for the honor bestowed upon him.
Stamkos would go on to earn two assists. He received cheers after each announcement.
Three Stars of the Game
1. Nick Paul, Tampa Bay. Paul scored the game winner on a great play to the net.
2. Jake Guentzel, Tampa Bay. Two assists, including the game winner, made for another impressive night for the new Bolt.
3. Brayden Point, Tampa Bay. A goal and an assist in the first period put the Lighting out in front early. He should have had more if not for the play of Saros.
Up Next
The Lightning (6-3-o, 12pts) head out to Colorado to take on the Avalanche (5-5-0, 10pts) on Wednesday. Puck drop is at 9pm.
