The Tampa Bay Lightning closed out a four game west coast road trip in Seattle. Facing the Kracken, who have won four of their last six games. Tampa is looking for success in Seattle. Historically, a west coast road trip has never been kind for the Lightning organization. This was different. They were looking for their third win on this road trip. To do that, they would have to win without their top defensive pairing. Both Victor Hedman and J.J. Moser were not in the lineup. To have success, this would be a heavy lift for the Bolts.
Quiet Start
In addition to being down the two defenseman, Jonas Johansson got the start giving Andrei Vasilevskiy the night off. During the opening minutes of the first period, the visitors definitely looked like they were ready to get on the plane back home. The Kracken pummelled the Lightning and Johansson. They got off the first seven shots in the game including one that found the back of the net.
Brandon Montour slapped a shot past Johansson to give Seattle a 1-0 lead. The game wasn’t even five minutes old. It was beginning to look like it was going to be a long game for Tampa. Then something clicked. The Lightning defense that looked like swiss cheese in the early minutes of the game tightened up. As the tide turned, Brandon Hagel tipped in a Nick Perbix shot that went past Philipp Grubauer to tie the game.
“Tipped in by Brandon Hagel!!!”
Right place, right time ⏰ for Brandon Hagel! He evens the score in the first period.#TBLvsSEA
🎧: https://t.co/S6Y9Tynk9H
📻: @1025TheBone pic.twitter.com/GQr1Esp3M6— Lightning Audio Network (@BoltsRadio) December 15, 2024
Making Some Noise
Five minutes after tying the game, with Tampa on the power play, Lightning struck again. Team goal leader, Brayden Point slapped at the puck but didn’t get all of it. Somehow, the puck trickled past Grubauer giving the Lightning a 2-1 lead.
IT’S BRAYDEN FREAKING POINT 🚨#SmoothAs | @tullamoredew pic.twitter.com/16B36NAAPW
— Lightning on FanDuel Sports Network (@FDSN_Lightning) December 15, 2024
The rest of the period was scoreless but it was clear that the first few minutes of the game were an anomaly. Seattle looked unbeatable and in the last 15 minutes of the initial period, they looked anything but. The period ended with Tampa getting 10 shots on net while Seattle got eight. In the first five minutes when the Kracken got seven shots to zero for the Lightning. During the last 15 minutes, the visitors outshot their hosts 10 to one.
Knuckling Down
Both teams settled in during the second period. Unlike the first, the middle period was scoreless but the ice was clearly leaning the Lightning’s way. Outshooting the Kracken 13 to eight. The Bolts were taking the game to the home team. Yet, it was still a one goal game
Any one goal hockey game can change with one shot. It doesn’t even have to be a 100 MPH shot. It could be a seeing eye puck or a knuckle puck. Maybe a tip-in or a rebound a goalie can’t control. A one goal game has everyone on their toes.
As the game entered the third period, Seattle came out looking for that one shot to tie the game. They were relentless in the opening minutes of the final frame. Johansson stood tall. He made a couple of saves on some good scoring chances to keep his team on top.
Then the dam broke wide open. Not for Seattle but for Tampa. Their hottest scorer, Jake Guentzel tipped in a floating puck past Grubauer to give the Lightning a two goal cushion. This power play goal marked the sixth straight game that Guentzel scored.
Jake Guentzel has now scored in each of his last SIX games! ⚡️ pic.twitter.com/klCAFx6Fyj
— NHL (@NHL) December 15, 2024
Finding Success in Seattle
Now playing with the two goal lead, the Lightning didn’t lay back. In fact, they stepped on the accelerator. Their short handed defensemen held firm. Johansson stood on his head. The number one line pushed the envelope.
Now down to the last five minutes of the game, Seattle pulled Grubauer to get the extra skater. Didn’t work. Hagel scored his second goal of the game into the empty net. Now, up 4-1, the Lightning didn’t turtle. They kept skating north. The Kracken brought back Grubauer only to allow the first NHL goal for rookie defenseman Declan Carlile. Carlile was brought up to shore up the defense and found himself bearing down on Grubauer and wristed a missile past the Seattle netminder. That was the game. Success in Seattle and success on this road trip.
Three Stars
- Brandon Hagel – 2 goals
- Jake Guentzel – 1 goal, 1 assist and goals in six straight games
- Jonas Johansson – 21 saves on 22 shots for a .955 save percentage
What’s Next
Coming home for a Tuesday match against Columbus at 7:00 pm.
