Costly turnovers lead to goals for the Winnipeg Jets as the Tampa Bay Lightning losing streak extends to two games. While the offense would score the first two goals for the game it would be for nothing. Jonas Johansson got the nod in net and did the best he could to keep the team in the game. Brayden Point left the game early with an undisclosed injury, but the offense would be fine without him. Overall, it was a sloppy game for Tampa and there is a lot to improve on before the final game of the road trip.
Hagel opens up the scoring
The first great chance either team had come from the Lightning nearly four minutes in. Nick Perbix was left all alone and had a great chance to score. Numerous missed clearing attempts by Tampa gave Winnipeg more ice time than the Lightning would have liked. This is a team you do not want to play sloppy against and to this point it has not harmed the Lightning. Despite this, Lightning still had the best chance of the game, but they had to play smarter before Winnipeg cashed in on the mistakes. Then, Brandon Hagel took control of the puck off a rebound and scored to give Tampa the 1-0 lead. However, Winnipeg then challenged the goal for interference, but it would not be that long of a review. Call on the ice stood and due to the failed challenge Lightning went on the power play.
First of the night courtesy of Hagel! pic.twitter.com/pAktJebUos
— Tampa Bay Lightning (@TBLightning) November 3, 2024
Give one up, get one back
The goal was Hagel’s seventh of the season and was a sigh of relief considering how sloppy the team was playing. Next came the power play which the Lightning cashed in on. Point rifled the puck on an open side of the net to extend the lead 2-0. Later on, Jets scored off a costly turnover by the Lightning which was going to happen eventually. Vladislav Namestnikov cut the lead 2-1 and the Jets continued the pressure in hopes of quickly tying the game. During the period Point left the bench but returned after a bit. He was seen on the bench but did not return to the ice for the remainder of the period. Lightning responded well after the goal and the score remained 2-1 to end the period.
Power Play Pointer in full force 👏 pic.twitter.com/w5V08aXIO0
— Tampa Bay Lightning (@TBLightning) November 3, 2024
Point would not return to the game
Second period began and Point still did not return to the ice. To this point it was unsure if he would return or not and it was unknown how serious the injury was. Regardless, there was still a game to be played and a lead to maintain. Jets had a majority of the zone time to start the second period, but Johansson continued to keep the puck out the best he could. Next, Logan Stanley tied the game on yet another turnover by Tampa and in the process swung momentum in Winnipeg’s favor. Afterwards, an unfortunate mistake by Ryan McDonagh allowed Winnipeg to take the lead. Mark Scheifele scored after McDonagh botched the pass attempt to give the Jets a 3-2 lead. These costly turnovers had to stop if Tampa wants to pull away and come out with the win.
Yet again tying up the game
Story of the afternoon were the constant turnovers that always led to a Jets goal. Later on, Lightning tied the game with a big goal from Mitchell Chaffee. It was a perfect shot that Connor Hellebuyck had no chance of saving that tied the game 3-3. Winnipeg went on the power play for the first time with just under half the period remaining. Penalty was killed off and the score remained 3-3 with over 7 minutes remaining in the period. Before the period ended the Jets nearly scored again but the puck went off the iron instead. Lightning would get a late power play that carried over into the third period.
Right on target 🎯 pic.twitter.com/Uv15Yd27Eg
— Tampa Bay Lightning (@TBLightning) November 3, 2024
Kucherov to the rescue
Nothing happened on the power play to begin the third period as Winnipeg did a good job preventing any rushes by the Lightning. Zemgus Girgensons and Stanley dropped the gloves, and both are sent off for fighting. Girgensons was given an extra penalty for instigating giving the Jets their second power play of the day. Unfortunately, Jets took the lead on the power play with a goal from Alex Iafallo who was left unattended. 4-3 Jets who are one of the best teams in the league on the power play and it showcased it right there. Whenever the Lightning desperately need a goal, Nikita Kucherov is there to deliver. He took the puck away from Namestnikov and quickly tied the game up 4-4.
— Tampa Bay Lightning (@TBLightning) November 3, 2024
Costly turnovers give the game away
Immediately, Jets answered back after an unforced icing to retake the lead 5-4 with Scheifele’s second of the game. Crucial penalty kill had to be made with just over 8 minutes to go if the Lightning wanted to keep it a one goal game. Lightning did kill off the penalty keeping the score 5-4 with 6 minutes left. With 3:19 to go Lightning pulled Johansson but the Jets would quickly score on the empty net. Ehlers made it 6-4 Jets and the net would remain empty for Tampa. Ultimately, costly turnovers doomed the Lightning as Winnipeg went on to win 7-4. The loss marks two in a row and the team will wrap up the road trip Tuesday in St. Louis.
Three stars of the game
1st Star: Mark Scheifele – 2 goals and 1 assist
2nd Star: Nikolaj Ehlers – 1 goal and 1 assist
3rd Star: Nikita Kucherov – 1 goal and 1 assist
