Last week’s western road warriors returned to Amalie Arena tonight hoping to bring those positive vibes back to Tampa Bay. The Bolts went 3-1 on the road trip, outscoring their opponents 18-8. In addition to that great record, the Lightning had other reasons to celebrate. On Thursday night in Calgary, goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy started his 500th career game. He is just the 83rd goalie in NHL history to reach this milestone. Fans cheered Vasilevskiy in a pregame ceremony before he took to the net for career game number 501.
In more good news for the Bolts, defenseman Victor Hedman suited up for this one after missing the last two games with a lower body injury. Janis (JJ) Moser was still out.
A Familiar Fast Start
The Bolts are no strangers to scoring quickly against the Blue Jackets. Many Lightning faithful will never forget the 3-0 first period lead against Columbus in game one of the 2019 playoffs. The Jackets stormed back to win that one and then the next three to complete the sweep.
Just under a month ago, the Bolts jumped out to another 3-0 first period lead against Columbus before losing a crazy one 7-6 in overtime.
Tonight, was no exception. The scoring came from an unexpected source in faceoff specialist Luke Glendening. Glendening notched his second of the season just three minutes and 21 seconds into the opening period. Defenseman Nick Perbix and Emil Lilleberg assisted.
Oh that was NASTY!
Watch on FanDuel Sports Network. #GoBolts pic.twitter.com/FZZz6EjFhQ
— Lightning on FanDuel Sports Network (@FDSN_Lightning) December 18, 2024
The ice definitely tilted in the Lightning’s favor for the rest of the period. But Columbus goaltender Jet Greaves stood tall in net and stopped everything else that came his way.
Nick Paul got a mini breakaway at one point and appeared to increase the Lightning lead to 2-0. The puck rang of the top crossbar but was somehow batted away and ruled no goal.
Despite the Bolts’ 10-5 shot advantage, the first period ended with the Blue Jackets just one shot away from tying the game.
Nick Paul Will Not Be Denied Again
Nick Paul’s shot did not find the back of the net in the first period. But he would not be denied in period two. He fired home his seventh of the season just 1:28 into the middle frame. The unassisted goal gave the Bolts a 2-0 lead.
“SCORREEE!!! What effort by Nick Paul!”
Paul causes a CBJ turnover and takes care of business!#CBJvsTBL
🎧: https://t.co/S6Y9Tynk9H
📻: @1025TheBone pic.twitter.com/foz9gsLiRg— Lightning Audio Network (@BoltsRadio) December 18, 2024
Nick Paul Assists as the Guentzel Streak Hits Lucky Seven
Six minutes later, Paul was at it again. This time, his pass found Jake Guentzel open in front of the net. Some Lightning fans lamented the loss of Steven Stamkos in the off-season, believing that the newly acquired Guentzel would not be able to measure up to the former captain in goal scoring. Guentzel has silenced all doubters with goals in six straight games. And at 7:36 of period two, he made it seven straight games with his 18th goal of the season.
“GUENTZEL!!! Goals now in seven straight games!”
Nick Paul causes yet another turnover, this time he dishes to the hot hand! Guentzel holds the longest goal streak of this season for Tampa Bay.#CBJvsTBL
🎧: https://t.co/S6Y9Tynk9H
📻: @1025TheBone pic.twitter.com/cUNLxQIrEl— Lightning Audio Network (@BoltsRadio) December 18, 2024
Midway through the second period, a brawl erupted resulting in seven penalties- three for the Bolts and four for the Jackets, When all was said and done, the Bolts had a five-minute power play. For over four minutes of the man advantage, the Lightning could not get anything going. Finally, Mitchell Chaffee broke through with his sixth of the season from guess who? Third point of the period for Nick Paul. Brandon Hagel tallied the other assist.
The Bolts led 4-0 through two.
Jackets Fight to Come Back in Third
The Lightning were enjoying a nice lead on the Blue Jackets. But history has taught us to never count Columbus out of games like this. The Bolts got sloppy in their own end and allowed Mikael Pyyhtia alone in front. He beat Vasilevskiy for his second goal of the season to thwart the shutout bid and pull Columbus within 3.
Just 41 seconds later, the Lightning gave up a three on one and Adam Fantilli made no mistake burying his sixth of the season. Just like that, the lead was cut in half at 4-2 with twelve minutes remaining.
At 12:38 of period three, the Lightning took their fifth penalty of the night. They’d killed off the first four with relative ease. But things were unraveling for the Bolts in the final twenty minutes. Cole Sillinger scored on the power play to pull the Jackets within a shot of tying the game and over just under six minutes remaining.
With a little over two minutes remaining in regulation, the Blue Jackets pulled goalie Jet Greaves for the extra attacker. They were pressing before the Bolts finally cleared the zone and Point’s shot found the empty net. Number 21 on the season for number 21 gave the Lightning a two-goal cushion again.
It was a scary last 20 minutes, but the Bolts hung on to win this one by a 5-3 final.
After the game, head coach Jon Cooper lamented the mistakes made in the third period and particularly the number of penalties his team took. But he acknowledged that when he wakes up in the morning, it will be the win and the two points that matter.
Three Stars
1- Nick Paul- 1 goal, 2 assists- 3 points
2- Jake Guentzel- 1 goal for a 7-game goal streak, 1 assist- 2 points
3- Luke Glendening- opening goal of the game
Up Next
The Bolts are back at it at Amalie on Thursday night as the St. Louis Blues come to town. Puck drop is scheduled for 7pm.
