Jon Cooper’s tenure as the Tampa Bay Lightning’s head coach is only two games old, but his team has already battled back from three two goal deficits. Unfortunately, despite the impressive come back, Tuesday’s game against the Florida Panthers resulted in a shootout loss and one of the NHL’s famed loser points for the Lightning. Still, the effort was inspiring, the Lightning outplayed their opposition, and the team never lost its drive. Even with the losing result, it’s hard to ask for much more.

Right from puck drop, the Lightning took ‘it’ to the Panthers. Firing off 14 shots in the first period, the Lightning were skating well, controlling the puck, and generating zone time. Other than some pretty noticeable struggles with regards to passing, the Lightning’s first frame was really well played. Unfortunately, it was the Panthers who opened the scoring to take a pivotal 1-0 lead. With Tom Pyatt off for hooking midway through the period, TJ Brennan wired a shot that was deflected in by Tomas Kopecky.

After a rough first period, the Panthers came out strong in the second and matched the Lightning’s speed, energy and tenacity. With their 1-0 lead in hand, the Cats seemed much better prepared to start the second frame. Their hard work was rewarded late in the period when Greg Rallo tipped in his first career goal with Tom Pyatt again in the penalty box to give the Panthers their insurance goal and a 2-0 lead.

Up to the end of the second, special teams really were the difference in the game. The Panthers went two for two with the man advantage, while the Lightning struggled and went zero for three despite twenty-four seconds of five-on-three play. Credit the Panthers for their quick puck movement and ability to get the job done; it was impressive. Add to that Markstrom’s heroics, and things were looking real good for the Panthers.

In the third period, the resolve and resiliency that Jon Cooper’s squads in the AHL consistently advertised was on full display for the Lightning. Early in the period, Tom Pyatt deflected home a beautiful Teddy Purcell pass to cut the Panthers’s lead in half. The goal, his seventh of the year, served as redemption for Pyatt after he sat in the box for the two Panther goals. Shortly thereafter, Alex Killorn batted home a Victor Hedman rebound to tie the game and complete the comeback. As mentioned earlier, this Lightning team is full of heart, soul, and a whole lot of fight.

A scoreless overtime period turned into a shootout, just as it did on Friday against the New Jersey Devils. This time, however, the Lightning were not so lucky. Peter Mueller scored on the Panthers’s first shooting opportunity, and the Lightning went zero for three. Game. Set. Match. Just as he did all game, Jacob Markstrom stoned the Lightning in the shootout.

All in all, it was a nearly perfect effort from your Tampa Bay Lightning. The Bolts fired off 41 shots, forechecked well, created chances, and battled back from deficit. For a team battling for position in the Eastern Conference, the Lightning certainly looked as though they want to make a real run of this to end the season. Now only six points back of the Southeast leading Winnipeg Jets and with three games in hand, the Lightning are certainly eyeing a potential playoff spot. It’s going to take a lot of work and a number of victories, including three to end this week, but this Lightning group looks ready and willing.

As always, thanks for reading.

I have to state this again - Markstrom was incredible.

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