Is this the last time the Lightning will face-off against Karlsson?
The last time the Tampa Bay Lightning took the ice at Canadian Tire Centre things did not go well for the visitors. In fact, the six goals allowed equal the most goals surrendered by the Lightning this year. That was just one of the storylines heading into Thursday night’s contest. With the NHL trade deadline just four days away, there is no shortage of rumors surrounding Ottawa’s captain, Erik Karlsson. Rumored as a possible landing-spot in a Karlsson deal, Tampa Bay put together a well-rounded effort in a 4-3 victory over the Senators.
Johnson ends another drought
On January 9, against the Carolina Hurricanes, Tyler Johnson recorded a hat-trick en-route to his teams 5-4 victory. He entered Thursday night shouldering a 17-game goal-less streak. Johnson is no stranger to these streaks however, having already gone through a 15-game drought earlier this year. Tampa Bay held the lead until Ryan Dzingel tied the game later in the first period.
Hedman with some nifty moves
With his fellow-Swedish countryman (Karlsson) watching on the opposing bench, Victor Hedman showed why he is considered one of the best offensive-minded D-men in the NHL. Standing 6’6” and 223-lb, this is not something you see every day.
Heddy’s got hands. ???? #TBLvsOTT pic.twitter.com/2QKUc3NH1W
— Tampa Bay Lightning (@TBLightning) February 23, 2018
Domingue gets the start in net
Back-up goalie Louis Domingue made his fifth start (2-2) as a member of the Lightning, opposite all-star net-minder Craig Anderson. Throughout most of the night, Domingue was solid, if not spectacular. When Yanni Gourde found Brayden Point in front of the net, with just seconds remaining in the second period, it appeared that Tampa Bay was going to cruise to victory. However, shots on goal caught up with the Lightning goaltender as Ottawa fought back in the third period.
Ottawa picked up a controversial goal — after referees ruled that Domingue was not interfered with — to cut the Lightning lead to two. Trailing 4-2, with less than three minutes to play, Derick Brassard added a power-play strike, his 18th goal of the season, to bring the Senators within one. That’s as close as Ottawa would get — despite out-shooting the Bolts (36 – 24) on the night.
Lightning Notes:
- Gourde’s 47 points are the fourth-most by a Lightning rookie
- Backup goalies have accounted for six wins this season (Peter Budaj-3, Domingue-3)
- Bolts are one road-win away from reaching the franchise-mark for road victories in a season
- Lightning had more blocked shots (26) than shots on goal (24)
Up next:
Tampa Bay returns home on Saturday night to face Montreal. The Canadiens will be without star-defenseman Shea Weber (foot surgery) — he will miss the rest of the season — and all-star goaltender Carey Price (concussion). There is no timeline for Price’s return after taking a puck to the helmet on Tuesday.
