Despite not playing the puck as well as they could have, the Lightning found a way to come away with a shootout win at TD Garden. After missing the last 12 games, Tanner Jeannot returned to the lineup in what was Brad Marchand’s 1000th career game. For much of the game, the Lightning struggled with getting the puck to the offensive zone but were perfect on the penalty kill and played well enough to have this game go to overtime. Playing against Boston is never easy, and tonight was proof of that, but the team never gave up and nabbed the extra point.
Cernak scores his first
The early stages of the game began with tough, physical play which should not be a surprise to anyone. Erik Cernak fired the puck from a Hagel pass that looked like it crossed the goal line while the whistle was blown. The officials reviewed the play and confirmed the puck crossed the line with a continuous motion from the initial shot. Lightning took a 1-0 lead, and the goal was Cernak’s first of the season. With the assist, Hagel extended his point streak to seven games. However, Lightning played a bit sloppy following the goal not having much time in the offensive zone as a result. Bruins then had a few rushes which resulted in quality chances, but nothing came from it. Half the period went by with the score still 1-0 Tampa, but Boston remained to have the better looks on net.
Sneakin' right in 👏 pic.twitter.com/7LCdfMIxlc
— Tampa Bay Lightning (@TBLightning) February 14, 2024
Bruins try to answer back
Had it not been for a block by Darren Raddysh the score would have been tied up as the Bruins offense continued to take charge with David Pastrnak nearly scoring. Hagel gave away the puck which nearly led to a Bruins goal, but Vasilevskiy was able to make the save. As the period went on Boston continued to play well offensively with Tampa’s defense doing their best to keep the puck from ending up in the back of the net. With around three minutes to go, Bruins went on the power play after Haydn Fleury was called for slashing. A chaotic power play subsided with the Bolts successfully killing off the penalty keeping the score 1-0. Then, Lightning went on the power play with only 48 seconds left in the period. The period ended with 1:13 left on the man advantage.
Kucherov nets his 90th point
Lightning wasted no time to get the puck rolling in the second period. Nikita Kucherov late on the power play to extend the lead 2-0. The goal gives Kucherov 90 points on the season, but Boston would answer back. Charlie McAvoy scores to make it a 2-1 lead and it is no surprise the Bruins scored after spending so much time in the offensive zone in the first period. Afterwards, Lightning went on the power play again and looked to answer the McAvoy goal. On said power play the Lightning are called for too many men nullifying the power play and giving Boston one instead. Lightning were solid on the penalty kill and nearly scored shorthanded. Again, the score remained 2-1 after a couple of power plays.
Not giving up until it's in the back of the net 👊 pic.twitter.com/2B1UdTd8Ph
— Tampa Bay Lightning (@TBLightning) February 14, 2024
Losing the lead and control
Another turnover by the Lightning gave the Bruins a chance to tie the game up but again Vasy was able to keep the puck out and away from the net. Lightning continued to have struggles clearing the zone which tired out the defenders and gave Boston plenty of attempts at scoring another goal. This issue stemmed from the first period and continued to linger as the second period went on. It was only a matter of time before the Bruins would tie up again and they did just that with a goal for James vanRiemsdyk. There was a delayed penalty, but the Bolts could not get possession of the puck allowing an easy goal for Boston. Period would end with the game remaining even at 2-2.
The goal that never was
With the third period underway Bolts needed to play better with the puck if they want to take control of the puck and steal a win on the road. Bruins received an early power play, but it was killed off as the score once again remained tied up. Mike Eyssimont looked to give the Bolts the lead however the goal was called off for goalie interference. The call would not be challenged and play went on. Lightning did a much better job getting the puck out of their own zone and it would be a battle for the go-ahead goal. Penalty calls on the Lightning continued to pile up this time Cernak being sent off for tripping with just over 9 minutes to go in regulation.
Thankful for overtime
Once again, penalty kill gets the job done but it was all thanks to Vasy as control of the puck continued to be sloppy. Finally, Lightning would get their third power play of the night and hoped to realign and take the lead on the man advantage. Unfortunately, Bolts only had one shot on the power play and could not capitalize because of it. With a few minutes left Lighting were called for delay of game after a puck went over the glass. Again, penalty was killed off, yet the puck remained in the Lightning zone. Somehow some way this game headed to overtime with one bright spot being the penalty kill going 5/5.
Steal the show in the shootout
After a wild and crazy three periods of play overtime would be needed to declare a victor. Lightning played much better 3-on-3 than they did in regulation and had a majority of the scoring chances in overtime. At times they were too fancy with the puck, but the Bruins could not get a good chance on net. Lightning were really defensive with the puck and made sure to not keep tired players out there which also benefited the Bruins. A late penalty was called which proved to be irrelevant since there was only 2.6 seconds left. The shootout would decide the victor for tonight’s game. All it took was a Point goal in the second round of the shootout to seal the deal and give the Lightning a 3-2 victory. Despite being outplayed for a majority of the game Tampa comes out on top and travels home to welcome the Colorado Avalanche.
Three stars of the game
1st Star: Andrei Vasilevskiy – Saved 36 of 38 shots faced
2nd Star: Brad Marchand – 2 assists
3rd Star: Brayden Point – Lone shootout goal to win the game
