To say that the Tampa Bay Lightning have not exactly been road warriors this season would be an understatement. In their four road games thus far, the Bolts are a pitiful 0-3-1. They have a whopping total of one point when away from the friendly confines of Amalie Arena. Tonight marks game two of this four-game road trip. The boys in blue travel to a building where they’ve already lost once this season– the Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa. Will their road woes continue or can the Bolts get their first road victory of the season?
Senators Draw First Blood
The Lightning started this one with some determination in their game. They had some good offensive zone possession time and some good looks at the net. But they could not break through. They missed the net on a couple of opportunities- a phenomenon that has been occurring a bit too regularly lately.
But when the Ottawa Senators got their first stretch of offensive zone time, they made no mistake and did not miss the net. Brady Tkachuk scored his 7th of the season to give the Sens the lead at 12:58.
Just over 4 minutes later, the Bolts tied it up as Victor Hedman scored his second of the season. Nikita Kucherov and Brayden Point got the assists for their first points of the night.
Dave Mishkin calls Hedman's goal pic.twitter.com/5Ope1f1FYI
— Bucs Rays Bolts (@BucsRaysBoltsYT) November 4, 2023
Key Points in the Second
The Lightning dominated the second period in their previous game in Columbus. They were hoping for a repeat tonight. It started off promising. Just 32 seconds into the frame, Brayden Point tallied his first of the night and third of the season to give the Bolts a 2-1 lead.
On Thursday night in Columbus, the Lightning took a 2-1 lead in the second and controlled play for the remainder of the period but could not put the game away. Tonight, they would not be denied. Four and a half minutes later, they did what they were unable to do Thursday night and scored a third goal. Mike Eyssimont split the defense and somehow managed a beautiful shot while falling down to beat goaltender Joonas Korpisalo.
MIKEY EYSSIMONT WHAT A GOAL 😱 pic.twitter.com/pPhXys1HZN
— Bally Sports Sun: Lightning (@BallyLightning) November 5, 2023
And with that, the Senators made a goaltending change. The goals were not Korpisalo’s fault. Perhaps this change would motivate an Ottawa comeback?
Anton Forsberg did make some nice saves for much of the second period. Then, the final moment of the period went the same way as its first moment. With a Brayden Point goal.
The Bolts would go to the dressing room with a 4-1 lead.
Securing a Road Victory?
Yes, the Lightning took a nice lead into the third period. But could they hold on for their first road victory? Not if the Ottawa Senators had anything to say about it! They came out flying for the final frame. Claude Giroux scored just 1:17 in to pull his team within two at 4-2.
They looked to pull even closer and got a power play opportunity. The Bolts killed it off. Then the Bolts got a power play of their own but did not manage a shot. Seconds later, they got another opportunity. This time, they fared much better. Brayden Point completed his hat trick as he tipped in a shot from Steven Stamkos. Kucherov assisted on the goal for his fourth assist of the night. The three-goal lead was restored with just over half the period to go.
🚨 BRAYDEN POINT HATTY 🚨 pic.twitter.com/WosIPVHfbl
— Bally Sports Sun: Lightning (@BallyLightning) November 5, 2023
And then, another penalty. Tanner Jeannot was jawing with Brady Tkatchuk. But only Jeannot went to the box for an Ottawa power play. This time, they didn’t miss. Brady Tkachuk scored his second of the game to pull his team to within two goals once again. Tkachuk looked right over to the box for some eye contact with Jeannot.
Just 16 seconds later, before the Senator goal could be announced, Nikita Kucherov scored his 7th goal of the season and 5th point of the night. The Bolts once again had a 3-goal lead.
But less than a minute later, Ottawa once again pulled within two goals. Drake Batherson scored to make it 6-4. The Lightning challenged the goal for a missed stoppage in play (possible hand pass). Coach Jon Cooper lost the challenge, which gave the Senators another power play. Fortunately, the penalty kill came up big and stopped the Ottawa attack.
As time wound down, the Bolts clung to their lead, desperate for a road victory. The Senators pulled Forsberg for the extra attacker, but could not manage another goal. After some heart pounding moments, the horn sounded to end this one.
The Tampa Bay Lightning finally have a road victory this season!
Three Stars
1- Brayden Point- hat trick and assist (4 points)
2- Nikita Kucherov- 1 goal and 4 assists (5 points)
3- Brady Tkachuk- 2 goals, 1 assist
Up Next
The road trip continues with a stop in Toronto Monday night at 7pm.
