Today the Tampa Bay Lightning welcomed in the “Gritty” Philadelphia Flyers to Amalie Arena. Tampa has one of the best records since December. While they have one 10 game streak already this season, the Bolts look to go for another against Philly today.
What a February it has been so far for the Tampa Bay Lightning. So far in the second month of the year, the Lightning are 7-0 heading into tonight’s game. Can Yanni Gourde make it three games in the row since ending his 35 game scoring drought? Will Philly ever bring Gritty to Tampa to visit?
Upcoming Milestones
Entering tonight’s game two Lightning players can move up on all time lists for the Bolts. If Alex Killorn were to score a goal tonight he would tie Vinny Prospal for 8th among all time scorers. While Brayden Point needs one to pass Brian Bradley for 10th on the all time scoring list. And it didn’t take long for Killorn to tie Prospal, as a matter of fact it took less than four minutes. At the 3:17 mark of the first Killorn slipped it past Carter Hart for a 1-0 Lightning lead. It’s his 22nd goal of the season, one has to ask… can Killorn hit 30?
Killer on the board first! ☑️ pic.twitter.com/oAIjHjeJm0
— Tampa Bay Lightning (@TBLightning) February 15, 2020
At 14:55 of the 1st period Cedric Paquette took a pass from Tyler Johnson and buried it past Hart for a 2-0 Lightning lead. It was Paquette’s second goal in as many games after having his last goal come on December 17th.
Ceddy on the spot! pic.twitter.com/ymSbHQRF6B
— Tampa Bay Lightning (@TBLightning) February 15, 2020
Bolts are thriving in 2020 so far
Since January 1st the Lightning have gone 20 straight games allowing three or fewer goals. Add onto that a combined GAA of 1.65 and a 17-2-1 record. Andrei Vasilevskiy has also enjoyed 2020, so much so he hasn’t lost a game in this decade yet. As a matter of face entering tonight’s game Vasilevskiy had more shutouts in 2020 than losses.
The New Kid continues to shine
Once again barely into the period and the Lightning are on the board. This time it was Carter Verheaghe getting his 8th goal of the season. Victor Hedman and Yanni Gourde both notched assists on the goal. His goal, put the Lightning up 3-0 in the second period. Vasilevskiy had a shut-out for nearly 30 mins, until Ivan Provorov got one past him to end Vasilevskiy’s bid for a 3rd shut-out.
This pass from Heddy… 😍 pic.twitter.com/V4gsdzht39
— Tampa Bay Lightning (@TBLightning) February 15, 2020
Things get “Gritty”
Through the first two periods both teams were playing a bit of a gritty game. In the second period alone there were ten penalties between the two teams. Including a minor for roughing by Jakub Vorachek as time expired. With the puck behind the net Anthony Cirelli saw the time expiring and decided to hold onto the puck, Vorachek decided to come in hard an nail Cirelli for no reason. Braydon Coburn also received a penalty for roughing after he took exception to Vorachek’s hit on Cirelli.
Point’s on point
Not only did the Lightning notch their 10th win for the second time this season, but Braydon Point continued his streak. At 12:43 of the 3rd, Point faked a shot made a quick move then buried a wrist shot past Hart for a 4-1 Bolts lead. With an assist on Point’s goal, Steven Stamkos extended his point streak to 11 games. Then at 14:00 while on the power play due to a Mitchell Stephens hooking penalty, James van Riemsdyk got the Flyers back to within two goals (4-2 Bolts lead). Then Claude Giroux put a puck on net, while Vasilevskiy tried to keep it out his body carried the puck into the net for a 4-3 Bolts lead. With 21.6 seconds left Nikita Kucherov put the nail in the coffin for a 5-3 Lightning win.
Three Stars of the Game
3rd Star – Nikita Kucherov: Empty netter and assist for two points
2nd Star – Alex Killorn: Ties Prospal for 8th on all time scorers list with his 22nd of the season and game opening goal.
1st Star – Braydon Point: GWG and extends his point streak to 10 games.
Up Next
The Lightning head to Colorado to face the Nathan MacKinnon and the Avalanche Monday night Feb 17th at 9:00pm.
