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No Stamkos, No Problem: Filppula's Three Points Push Lightning Past Ducks

November 14, 2013, 11:02 PM ET [68 Comments]
Michael Stuart
Ottawa Senators Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
The Tampa Bay Lightning played a statement game on Thursday night against the Anaheim Ducks and walked out of the Tampa Bay Times Forum with a deserved 5-1 victory. Without Steven Stamkos in the lineup, the Bolts managed to play one of their best games of this young 2013-14 campaign. The win moves the Lightning’s record to an impressive 14-5-0 and keeps the organization at the top of the Eastern Conference.

Despite only firing 20 shots on net during Thursday’s contest, the Lightning converted on their opportunities early and often. About 12 minutes into the opening frame, Valtteri Filppula scored his seventh of the season to give his team a 1-0 lead. Filppula’s first of two goals on the night came after some great passing in the offensive zone; Teddy Purcell and Matt Carle were credited with assists.

Martin St. Louis extended the Lightning lead minutes later with a power-play goal, his eighth marker of the year. Assists were dished out to Filppula and JT Brown. Since his call-up following the Stamkos injury, Brown has been incredibly solid for the Lightning; he hasn’t looked out of place at all. It was great to see him get on the board with an assist. Considering Marty’s minor struggles and how quiet the Lightning have been with the man advantage in recent games, the tally was a big one in so many ways.

The Lightning’s offensive parade continued into the second period, as Valtteri Filppula notched his second of the night only three minutes in to make it 3-0. Filppula’s confidence was on full display as he walked into the high slot and wired home a Stamkos-esque wrist shot to extend the Lightning lead to three. Highlighted by his three points on the scoreboard, Filppula played a phenomenal game. He was strong on the puck, fantastic in the faceoff circle, and dominant in all three zones. Number-51 stepped up in a big way.

After being held pointless in his last four games, Alex Killorn got on the board at the 10:51 mark of the second with his fifth of the year. Driving to the net, Killorn made a slick toe-drag move before grabbing his own rebound and potting the puck past Hiller. His goal, assisted by St. Louis and Mark Barberio, moved the Lightning lead to 4-0.

The second period ended on a sour note, however, as Ben Bishop’s shutout bid was spoiled shortly thereafter when Emerson Etem beat him with a nice wrist shot. Even so, the big tender was downright stupendous for the Bolts once again. He stopped 24 of 25 shots fired his way.

It would have been easy for the Lightning to let the Ducks seize momentum as the game moved into the third period. Fresh off the Etem marker, the Ducks looked ready to get themselves back into the contest. That was until Victor Hedman scored just two minutes into the final frame with one of the better shots you’re ever going to see. That goal, which made the score 5-1, was all the Lightning would need to shut down the West’s best squad.

If you’re looking for something to complain about following the Lightning’s victory over the Anaheim Ducks, stop right now. The team played with confidence, poise, and determination as the guys rode their way to a very impressive 5-1 victory. Beating the NHL’s best team handedly is something to be proud of on any night. Beating the NHL’s best team handedly after losing one of the greatest players in the game is even more impressive.

As always, thanks for reading.
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