As noted the last time the Tampa Bay Lightning met the Hawks, this is a different Chicago team than the start of the season. They have been playing with more confidence. They’ve found their goaltender, and had showed nicely against the Lightning last time they met ahead of Thursday night’s tilt at Amalie Arena.
Defensive structure would certainly be something the Lightning would want to focus on after a wild 4-3 shootout win on the road in Dallas Tuesday. That mindset would’t necessarily pay off early, as both teams got right to the offensive attack, with the Hawks starting the festivities.
Hawks connect first
One thing the Bolts had been phenomenal at against the Hawks thus far this season was special teams. To start the game, though, it was Chicago controlling the pace and drawing a penalty. Some nice passing and Mattias Janmark chipped it home to give Chicago a 1-0 lead.
Back and forth
Next up, the Lightning would tie the game off the hot stick of Alex Killorn, who scored his fifth goal in his last nine games. He beat Hawks goalie Kevin Lankinen to the post and tucked home the wraparound.
Shortly after, on a power play of their own, Yanni Gourde would burst into the zone after the Bolts struggled to gain entry, and buried a dribbling puck to make it 2-1.
Before the period was out, Chicago managed to strike back with a second power play goal for the Hawks. Andrei Vasilevskiy made a fabulous save at the side of the net, but couldn’t hold his post as Dylan Strome banged it home to make it 2-2. That would be the score after twenty minutes.
Scoreless second
In the second, nobody could break through. Chicago laid claim to the majority of the best chances in the frame. The Bolts had a few defensive lapses, but Vasilevskiy was good enough to stave off the Hawks. At the other end, the Bolts didn’t generate all that much. Neither team was able to connect on a power play, and we headed to the third tied 2-2.
Colton to seal it
The fourth line had had a wonderful night for the Lightning and capped it off in fashion. Some good work from Pat Maroon on the break-out, a feed from Mathieu Joseph to Ross Colton who undressed Lankinen to give the Bolts a 3-2 lead.
Victor Hedman found the empty net to make it a 4-2 Lightning win. Two career NHL goals for Colton, both of them game-winners.
Our three stars of the game
- Ross Colton: Continued his excellent play with a dazzling game-winner.
- Andrei Vasilevskiy: Held down the fort during a slightly sloppy second period from his team.
- Dylan Strome: A goal, and was dangerous all night long.
