For the first time in a long time, the Tampa Bay Lightning played Jon Cooper’s style of hockey. On Wednesday night, the Lightning gave the Toronto Maple Leafs everything they could handle and more. Despite being out of the playoff race and aiming for a very high lottery pick, it was the Bolts rather than the Maple Leafs that took control of the game and cruised to an impressive 5-2 victory. Of course, performances like Wednesday’s have been few and far between for the Lightning in 2013, but it sure was nice to see a glimpse of things to come next season and beyond.

While the end result on Wednesday night looks great for the Lightning, things were a little bit shaky in the early going of the tilt. Stunted by numerous posts, the Maple Leafs started the contest with speed, confidence, and a very daunting attack. Simply put – the Lightning were incredibly lucky to get out of the period down by only one tally. That goal came off the stick of Phil Kessel with less than three minutes left in the frame.

Following an iffy first period, something changed for Bolts as they moved into the second. Just under six minutes into the middle frame, Steven Stamkos converted a beautiful backhand chance on a partial breakaway. His 29th of the season got the Bolts back on even terms, and gave the sometimes muffled contingent of Lightning fans at the Forum something to cheer about. Stamkos’ slick hands and innate ability to finish when being hounded by defenders gave Leafs goaltender James Reimer no chance.

The Bolts would take their first lead of the evening towards the end of the second period when Martin St. Louis chipped the puck home after an awkward odd-man rush. His first of three (!) on the evening wasn’t a thing of beauty, but it was enough to give the Bolts that extra jolt of confidence they have been lacking over the last few weeks.

After Joffrey Lupul notched a late second period tally to tie the game at two, the ice tilted in favor of the Lightning. In the third period, it was the Lightning who converted on chances. It was the Lightning who showed killer instinct. It was the Lightning who looked like a team ready and willing to play spoiler. Radko Gudas fired home a laser early in the frame to give the Lightning the lead they wouldn’t relinquish, and Martin St. Louis notched two insurance markers later in the final twenty. All in all, it added up to a 5-2 victory.

With three goals on the night, Martin St. Louis now leads the league in points scoring. Having surged past an injured Sidney Crosby, Marty is proving once again that age is nothing but a number. After overcoming so much throughout his career given his diminutive stature, St. Louis is defying all logic right now. His work ethic, dedication to sportsmanship, and consistency deserve so much praise. As a Lightning fan, it has been an absolute pleasure watching him suit up on a nightly basis for so many years.

While Wednesday’s win does nothing for the Lightning in the standings, it served as a refreshing change for a team and fan base that had been mired in a losing mindset for what seemed like weeks. It’s so abundantly clear that there is a ton to look forward to with this team as it moves into next season. With a tenacious attitude, solid goaltending and some of league’s most potent offensive threats, the Lightning have a great deal of positives to build on moving forward.

As always, thanks for reading.

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