The losing skid was ugly. But it’s in the rearview mirror now. With overtime looming on the horizon, the Bolts pulled out a thrilling victory tonight. They’d been unable to score more than a single goal in each of their previous three games. Tonight, they scored that elusive second goal and took a 2-1 lead into the final period. But Carolina tied it up halfway through. As the final minute of play hit, the Lightning struck and Brayden Point gave his team a 3-2 victory!
Rescheduling Hurricanes
The Lightning were supposed to open their home schedule for this season on Saturday, October 12th against the Carolina Hurricanes. But a different hurricane altered those plans. Hurricane Milton shut down much of the Tampa Bay area that week and Amalie Arena was not able to host a game over the weekend. The game was postponed and rescheduled for tonight. The Bolts and the Canes are both currently in playoff positions. Both had played pretty mediocore hockey over their last ten games. The Lightning are 5-5-0, while the Hurricanes are 5-4-1. The Bolts, however, have really struggled as of late coming into this one on a four-game losing streak.
Recipe to End Losing Skid
The recipe to end this losing skid was pretty basic. Score more goals. In each of their three road games, the Lighning managed just one goal per game. They were not struggling to get shots in the those games (34 against the Kings and 37 against the Ducks). But those shots were not finding the back of the net. Their poor puck luck seemed to be following them early on tonight. They had some good looks but were unable to beat goaltender Pyotr Kochetkov. They had one excellent chance on the power play, but that time, it was a goalpost that stood in their way.
Finally, with just over three minutes remaining in the opening frame, the Bolts broke through. Brandon Hagel was unguarded in front of the net and got a few whacks at the puck before wristing his 18th of the season past Kochetkov.
“SCORREEE!!!!! HAGEL!!!”
Hagel plays whac-a-mole 🔨 in front of the net to open the scoring!#CARvsTBL
🎧: https://t.co/S6Y9TymMk9
📻: @1025TheBone pic.twitter.com/VK4uhT8CWf— Lightning Audio Network (@BoltsRadio) January 8, 2025
The Bolts would end the first period leading the Hurricanes 1-0. But one goal has not been a problem for the Lightning of late. The question was… could they score more than one goal this time?
The Quest for More Goals
As the second period began, the Lightning continued to get some chances. Yet, that elusive second goal continued to escape their grasp. Six and a half minutes into the period, there was another goal. Unfortunately, it was not a Lightning goal. Andrei Svechnikov scored his 13th of the season to tie the game at 1-1.
The Bolts would need another goal. At 7:18, they would get an opportunity with their third power play of the night. They could not get anything going. And suddenly, as the power play seconds ticked down and Brent Burns was getting ready to return to the ice, it happened! The Lightning managed to set up quickly and Nick Paul’s snapshot found an opening for his 10th goal of the season. For the first time in four games, the Bolts had more than one goal!
“Not these fancy passes, just shoot it at the net! That’s it!” – Phil 🗣️
Paul nets a power play goal before the man advantage expires!#CARvsTBL
🎧: https://t.co/S6Y9TymMk9
📻: @1025TheBone pic.twitter.com/r6YjaYgiAg— Lightning Audio Network (@BoltsRadio) January 8, 2025
Twenty More Minutes to End Losing Skid
For the first time in four games, the Lightning found themselves on the right side of a 2-1 score. They just needed to hold on for a final 20 minutes. No easy task against a feisty Carolina team.
They managed to do it for the first ten minutes. Just as the period hit the midway mark, Jordan Staal notched his fifth of the season to tie the game at 2-2.
This game appeared to be headed to overtime. A call of, “Last minute of play in this period” was heard across the arena. And just then… Lightning struck. Guentzel… to Kucherov… to Point… score! The Bolts took a 3-2 lead with just 51.9 seconds remaining in regulation.
🗣️ “BRAYDEN POINT!!! BRAYDEN POINT!!!”
With under a minute to go, Pointer wins it for the Bolts!#CARvsTBL
🎧: https://t.co/S6Y9TymMk9
📻: @1025TheBone pic.twitter.com/pSrreOyc00— Lightning Audio Network (@BoltsRadio) January 8, 2025
The Canes pulled their goalie in favor of the extra attacker in a desperate attempt to force the overtime fans had thought was looming. But to no avail. The seconds ticked away and the Bolts’ four-game losing streak is now in the rearview mirror.
Three Stars
1- Brayden Point- game winning goal with under a minute remaining
2- Jordan Staal- one goal, one assist, strong on faceoffs
3- Brandon Hagel- one goal, hard work all game
Up Next
The battle for third place in the Atlantic division will be on full display Thursday night. The big, bad Boston Bruins make their first visit of the season to Amalie Arena. Puck drop is scheduled for 7pm.
