Heading into the trade deadline, the Tampa Bay Lightning needed blue-line help. Injuries have plagued the Bolts D-men all season long. They got it in the sturdy form of Columbus minute-muncher, and veteran presence David Savard. As if that wasn’t exciting enough for Lightning fans, forward Mitchell Stephens returned to the lineup for Savard’s Bolt debut, a Tuesday night tilt with the Predators in the Music City.
Throughout the season, the Lightning have struggled with Curtis McElhinney between the pipes. While he hasn’t been great consistently, the team’s structure has been equally as poor at times. That was the case in the early moments in this one against the Preds.
Snipe city
The Preds came to play in the first period. First, Colton Sissons used Erik Cernak as a screen and absolutely wired one past McElhinney.
Next up to blister one home was Roman Josi who found iron and made it 2-0 Nashville.
While the shots were impressive, all period long the Lightning were terrible defensively in front of their backup goalie.
Preds pulling away
That theme continued on the rush, as the Preds found a 2-on-1 and capitalized. Victor Arvidsson did the deed, and a disastrous period rolled along. Savard was a minus-two after his opening period in blue and white, and the Lightning trailed 3-0 after one.
On the board
To start the period, Brayden Point got the Bolts on the board after they came out of the gates looking like a brand new team. The puck movement was crisp, and Victor Hedman’s point drive was deflected home by Point to make it 3-1.
Preds punch back
That flow to the Bolts’ game would continue before a Nashville goal stopped the Lightning in their tracks. The first Preds shot of the period, a scramble in front of McElhinney, would beat him and it was 4-1. That was the situation after two periods despite just 12 shots for the Preds.
Shut down
There isn’t much to report from the third period of play. Nashville clogged the neutral zone and we saw nearly ten minutes of action without a shot on goal from either side. From there on in, a few rather meaningless goals and the margin spread. 7-2 Nashville was the final.
Our three stars of the game
- Viktor Arvidsson: Two goals, and dangerous all game long.
- Roman Josi: Active on the rush, and two assists.
- Brayden Point: Got the Lightning on the board and was a bright spot throughout.
