Power play goals proved to be the difference maker as Lightning end three game losing streak with a terrific showing in Columbus. There were plenty of goals as the Lightning looked to rebound from a rough loss on Sunday night. The offense kept the puck rolling and never gave Columbus a chance to get back in the game. Ondrej Palat reached a career milestone En route to ending the losing streak.
Offense gets going early
To start off, numerous face-offs occurred to begin the night with neither team generating a solid scoring chance. With over 4 minutes into the period Tampa received the first power play of the night. Sean Kuraly was called for hooking on Cal Foote and was not happy with the call. Tampa wasted no time to get the puck rolling on the power play and opened up the scoring. Ondrej Palat went top shelf on Joonas Korpisalo to give the Bolts a 1-0 lead. Soon after Palat is then called for hooking giving the Blue Jackets their first chance on the power play. Bolts kill off the penalty, but Erik Cernak was shaken up after blocking a shot. Palat then redirected a shot by Ryan McDonagh to extend the Bolts lead 2-0. For Palat the goal would give him his 400th career point.
Ondrej simply can't be stopped. pic.twitter.com/DBO4sKtsR8
— Tampa Bay Lightning (@TBLightning) January 5, 2022
Another power play goal
Later in the period Cernak returned to the ice after fully recovering from the blocked shot by Patrick Laine. Victor Hedman nearly scored on a breakaway opportunity but instead draws a penalty. Dean Kukan slashed Hedman before he shot the puck which went off the crossbar giving the Bolts their second shot on the man advantage. Once again, the Lightning scored on the man advantage. Corey Perry extended the lead 3-0 scoring from his favorite spot on the ice, in front of the net.
Columbus tries to answer back
Columbus wasted no time getting the offense rolling to start the period. Dean Kukan caught Andrei Vasilevskiy slipping to get the Blue Jackets on the board. The score would be 3-1 but Tampa quickly answered back. Brayden Point fired a slap shot that went past Korpisalo to give the Lightning a 4-1 lead. Gus Nyquist found himself a breakaway opportunity and beat Vasy top shelf to cut the Bolts lead 4-2. Blue Jackets nearly scored on a 2-on-1 opportunity, but Vasy and McDonagh somehow were able to keep the puck out. Boone Jenner is then called for holding giving the Bolts their third power play of the night.
Offense continues to thrive
For the first time all game Columbus was able to kill off a Lightning power play but gave up yet another one. Scott Harrington was booked for delay of game immediately putting the Bolts back on the man advantage. On the power play Pat Maroon tipped in the puck to give the Lightning a 5-2 lead. This would be the third ppg of the night for the Lightning. Tampa looked to shut down the Blue Jackets in the third period and preserve the big lead.
Finishing strong
In the opening minute of the period the Lightning added to their large lead. Pierre-Edouard Bellemare picks his spot and scores with ease to give the Bolts a 6-2 lead. Game remained quiet up until Columbus received their second power play of the night. With 11:15 to go Cernak is called for interference giving some life to the Blue Jackets offense. On the Blue Jackets power play, Mathieu Joseph nearly scores on the power play but is stopped by Korpisalo. Later on, Alex Killorn joins the scoring party giving the Bolts a 7-2 lead. Lightning dominated on both ends of the ice and never gave Columbus a chance at ever coming back. Lightning went on to win 7-2 thus ending the three-game losing streak. The 7 goals tied a season high for the Lightning.
Three stars of the night
1st Star: Ondrej Palat – 2 goals, 1 assist (400th career point on 2nd goal)
2nd Star: Brayden Point – 1 goal, 2 assists
3rd Star: Corey Perry – 1 goal, 1 assist
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