The Tampa Bay Lightning played a game in Utah for the first time in their existence. The Lightning recalled goalie Brandon Halverson from Syracuse to mind the net today. Halverson has played well for the Crunch this season posting a 16-9-8 record with 2.32 goals against average. He’s also saving 91.6% of the shots he’s facing. This is his second NHL game but his previous game was seven years ago for the Rangers in 2018. Today’s game is the first of a back to back as the Bolts meet the Golden Knights in Las Vegas tomorrow. Can the Lightning avoid this potential trap game to stay within two points of the division front runners? Both Florida and Toronto are two points ahead of the Lightning at the beginning of today’s games. After their thrilling shootout win in Dallas on Thursday, Tampa has to avoid the trap game Utah could be setting.
Setting the Trap
The road hasn’t been too kind for the Lightning this season. They are one game above a .500 team on the road. Unless they secure home ice for at least one playoff round, their road play will figure in their playoff success. So, in addition to this game being the first of two this weekend, both games are on the road.
The game was a little over six minutes old when Utah scored the game’s first goal. Josh Doan took advantage of soft defense by J.J. Moser to put the puck past Halverson. Another defensive mis-step by Erik Cernak gave Utah’s Logan Cooley a breakaway. Just like that Utah was up by two goals as the first period was coming to an end.
With about two minutes left in the first, Utah committed a penalty putting Tampa on the power play. Brayden Point made Utah pay for that infraction. Point’s power play goal put the score at 2 – 1 Utah.
“SCORREEE!!! BRAYDEN POINT!!!”
Point gets back on the scoresheet on the power play!#TBLvsUTA
🎧: https://t.co/S6Y9TymMk9
📻: @1025TheBone pic.twitter.com/WpSDy6CJCa— Lightning Audio Network (@BoltsRadio) March 22, 2025
Who’s Trapping Who
Early in the second period, Anthony Cirelli tied the game at two. Brandon Hagel took a wrap-around pass from Nikita Kucherov and put the puck in the slot. Cirelli hit a one timer in a wide open net as Utah goalie Karel Vejmelka overplayed on Hagel’s side. Brand new ball game now.
Less than 30 seconds after the Lightning tied the game, Alexander Kerfoot standing all alone in front of Halverson tipped in a pass to give Utah another lead. The Lightning were back to chasing the game. At 17:23 of the second, Jake Guentzel tipped in a Nick Perbix shot to tie the game at three. Maybe, just maybe the Lightning can take this game.
“That might have been tipped in front!!!”
Guentzel gets credit for the goal off the Perbix shot! It’s Jake’s 34th of the season.#TBLvsUTA
🎧: https://t.co/S6Y9TymMk9
📻: @1025TheBone pic.twitter.com/OK0PHuiikd— Lightning Audio Network (@BoltsRadio) March 22, 2025
Utah is in Charge
Last time the Lightning tied this game at two, it took Utah 30 seconds to get the lead back. After Guentzel’s goal tied the game at three, it took Utah 20 seconds to nab the lead again. Cooley scored his second goal of the game to make it 4 – 3 Utah as the second period came to an end.
So, as the third period begins, the visitors actually have a chance. Down only one, they are one good shot at tying this game. Just over a minute into the third period, Utah’s Nick Schmaltz gives Utah a 5 – 3 lead. The trap has been set and Tampa seems to be caught up in that.
A couple minutes after Utah scored at the beginning of this period, the Lightning struck back. Point tipped in a blue line blast from Ryan McDonagh to give Tampa a fighting chance. Down one goal at 5 – 4 with a few ticks over 17 minutes left in regulation.
“BRAYDEN POINT!!! Another deflection goal!”
Point gets his second of the game with some crafty hands!#TBLvsUTA
🎧: https://t.co/S6Y9Tynk9H
📻: @1025TheBone pic.twitter.com/vYNZG1OjaD— Lightning Audio Network (@BoltsRadio) March 22, 2025
Tampa Cannot Avoid the Trap Game
The game went back and forth after Point’s goal got the Lightning to within one goal. With just over two minutes left in the period, Utah committed a penalty of too many men on the ice. Tampa coach Jon Cooper with the extra man pulled Halverson so the Lightning would have a two man advantage.
It was not to be. Tampa got some good looks but Vejmelka made some better saves. Ultimately, Kerfoot got his second goal of the game with an empty netter to make the final score 6 – 4.
Three Stars
- Logan Cooley – 2 goals and 1 assist for Utah
- Nick Schmaltz – 1 goal and 2 assists for Utah
- Jake Guentzel – 1 goal and 2 assists
What’s Next
Tomorrow (Sunday) night in Vegas against the Golden Knights. Puck drops at 8:00 pm EST
