Shark attack was too much to handle as San Jose ends Tampa’s 12 game winning streak at home with a win in overtime. Watching a 2-goal lead slip away is never fun, neither is going 1 for 6 on the power play. While it seemed victory was within reach, San Jose never threw in the towel and took advantage of Lightning miscues with the puck. When San Jose needed their goalie to show up the most, he did just that shutting down anything Tampa threw his way. What should have been a bounce back victory ended up becoming a brutal overtime loss in front of the home crowd.
Pair of goals to kick off the opening frame
Starting off, Lightning began the game with a couple of puck mishaps. They were able to quickly recover from the turnovers and began to apply some pressure on offense. Then, Tampa caught San Jose’s defense off guard leading to a goal from Ross Colton for the early 1-0 lead. Next, Bolts received the first power play of the night after Alexander Barabanov is called for holding. Despite where they are in the standings the Sharks have a formidable penalty kill which was on display. Sharks killed it off with ease to keep the score 1-0 in favor of the Lightning. Tampa’s penalty kill was next up after Ian Cole is sent off for interference. On the Sharks power play Erik Karlsson was left wide open and fired the puck past Brian Elliott with ease to the the game.
Cruising with the lead
Afterwards, Lightning answered right back with a power play goal of their own. Brayden Point scored his second of the night to give the Bolts a 2-1 lead midway through the period. Victor Hedman would notch his 499th career assist on the goal bringing him even closer to another milestone. Scoring would continue for Tampa as Point scored his second of the game to extend the lead 3-1. The puck acted like a pinball for a bit before Point shot it past Kaapo Kahkonen. Tampa maintained the momentum as the opening frame came to a close.
And just like that, Brayden Point is a 30-goal scorer and becomes the fifth player in @TBLightning history to achieve the feat at least three times! ⚡️#NHLStats: https://t.co/IOdYTVdGi7 pic.twitter.com/BPpJIZ0VtN
— NHL (@NHL) February 8, 2023
Power play lacking
To begin, Sharks applied early pressure but could not find a way to score. Following, Sharks surrendered another penalty giving the Lightning their third power play of the game. This time Sharks penalty kill got the job done keeping it a two-goal lead for the Lightning. As the period went on Lightning maintained control of the game giving the Sharks a few chances to try and gain momentum. One bright spot for the Sharks is their penalty kill which to this point was 3 for 4. Momentum then went towards the Sharks after Zach Bogosian gives up a penalty.
Shark attack begins
Fortunately, Lightning killed off the penalty and the score remained 3-1 with 7 and a half minutes to go in the period. Next, Evgeny Svechnikov is called for slashing giving the Bolts their fifth power play of the night. Offensive woes continued on for Tampa as they could not add to their two goal lead. Instead, Sharks score again on the power play to cut the lead 3-2. Timo Meier was uncontested leading to an easy goal that Elliott had no chance saving. What looked like a goal for Steven Stamkos to answer the Meier goal was challenged for being offside. As a result, challenge was successful, goal was called back, and the score remained 3-2. Before the period ended Point and Michael Eyssimont drop the gloves and are each given a fighting major. Would the shark attack continue in the third period?
Allowing the Sharks to comeback
Shark attack indeed continued as San Jose tied the game up 4 minutes into the period. Scott Harrington scored his second of the season after the puck took a few deflections before going in. After watching their three-goal lead slip away it was clear Tampa had to act fast to regain control of the game. For the sixth time tonight, Lightning went on the power play with just under 11 minutes to go. Again, the Sharks penalty kill remained stellar to keep the game tied 3-3. Crossbars saved many goals as the period went on for both teams. After a thrilling final few minutes overtime would be needed to decide a winner.
San Jose dominates in overtime
In overtime it was the Sharks who gained control of the puck first. Sharks continued to maintain possession of the puck for nearly 2 minutes. Soon after Timo Meier called game and scored the game winning goal to lift the Sharks past the Lightning 4-3. To summarize, Lightning gave up a 2 goal lead and made crucial mistakes down the stretch that lead to the overtime loss. Special teams played a big role tonight and is an area Tampa has to improve on the next game. Next up is a Stanley Cup Final rematch with the Colorado Avalanche.
Three stars of the game
1st Star: Timo Meier – 2 goals and 1 assist
2nd Star: Brayden Point- 2 goals
3rd Star: Erik Karlsson – 1 goal and 2 assists
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