Something happened recently that hasn’t happened a lot in recent years, the Tampa Bay Lightning lost in back to back games. Brian Elliott gets the call in net and againest the Edmonton Oilers in 15 years, he has a pretty good record. Elliott has a 11-6-1 record against the Oilers over his career. Mikko Koskinen will slot in against the Bolts in the opposite net. Over the course of this season Elliott is 6-2-2 with a 2.46 goals against average. Koskinen is 20-9-3 with a 3.04 GAA. Tonight the Lightning face Connor McDavid one of the leading scorers in the NHL
When the Lightning last played in Edmonton they started their run at the top of the NHL. The date was September 29th 2020, gas was still around $2.00 a gallon and the league was playing it’s postseason in a bubble. Now it wasn’t Edmonton the Bolts were playing, but instead the Dallas Stars. It was the second time the Bolts would hoist the cup, but not the last. While McDavid has yet to bring the cup to Edmonton he has been one of the top players since entering the league.
Bolts last game in Edmonton…. versus Edmonton
The last time the Lightning actully played the Oilers in Edmonton four different Bolts players registered multi-point games. Nikita Kucherov registered 5 points (1g-4a), Tyler Johnson and Steven Stamkos each had two goals. While Brayden Point had two assists on the night helping push the team to a 6-3 victory.
Back and forth first
The first period was a back and forth affair for much of the first half of the period. The Lightning’s best chance was a shot from Steven Stamkos on Koskinen. Stamkos’s shot though went off the heel of defenseman Ryan McDonagh. Leon Draisital had a chance on Elliott who shut down the former Hart trophy winner. With one second remaining in the first half of the first period, Connor McDavid puts the puck past Elliott for a 1-0 Edmonton lead. McDavid used his speed to notch his 31st goal of the season. Towards the end of the period the Lightning escaped a potential bad situation. First Zach Bogosian went to the box for holding, then Matthieu Jospeh followed shortly after. His penalty was holding the puck in his hand too long, yes that’s a thing! Tampa would escape the first period only one down. The score could’ve easily been two or three to nothing, but the Bolts were able to get out of some penalty kill issues late inthe period.
McDavid continues to lead the way
Edmonton is 17-0-0 when scoring first, and while the second period was another back and forth match-up Conner McDavid put his team and lead a little more out of reach. With 45 seconds left in the second period, McDavid sent a snapshot past Elliott for a 2-0 lead. So far in this game the Lightning have had five penalties including a five on three PK only surrendering one goal. Tampa has had two power play opportunities, but have obviously not been able to cut into the lead. So far Koskinen has been the biggest reason the Oilers have the lead. The Bolts have gotten quite a few chances, but when there has been a glimmer of hope, Koskinen shuts the door.
Bogosian gets the Bolts within one
While it seems the Lightning have had a steady stream of players heading to the box, Edmonton finally made a mistake. Zach Bogosian takes a snap shot near the slot and buried it past Koskinen.
ICYMI: BOGO BRINGS THE HEAT! @TBLightning | #GoBolts pic.twitter.com/ayuQ4pCuf7
— Bally Sports Florida & Bally Sports Sun (@BallySportsFL) March 13, 2022
After some fisticuffs following the goal the Lightning would get a power play. While on the power play Cody Ceci hooks Kucherov who was entering the slot and gives the Bolts a five on three. Tampa was unable to capitalize with the man advantage. Shortly there after a turnover would give Leon Draisaitl a breakaway, and the Oilers another two goal lead. Kailer Yamamoto gets the empty netter for a 4-1 lead.
Three Stars of the Game
3rd Star – Brian Elliott: Sure he gave up three goals, but this could’ve been a lot worse! He stopped 48 shots tonight
2nd Star – Mikko Koskinen: Kept the Lightning to only one goal
1st Star – Connor McDavid: Scored the Oilers first two goals
Next Up
The Lightning continue their Canadian trip with a stop in Vancouver to face the Canucks at 10pm on March 13th
