The Tampa Bay Lightning did something on Sunday night in Detroit that they were unable to do in New Jersey 24 hours earlier; they scored. Three third period goals and a “Grade A” performance from goaltender Ben Bishop propelled the Bolts past the Red Wings for the third straight time this season. The 3-0 win moves Tampa Bay’s record to 19-11-3.
Considering the fact that they didn’t get into their Motor City hotel until the wee hours of the morning, the Lightning played one hell of a road game. It would have been easy for the Bolts, who were coming off a 3-0 shutout loss in New Jersey, to roll over and let the Wings run wild at Joe Louis Arena, but they did the exact opposite. As the
shot attempt (fenwick) chart shows, Tampa was generally able to match the Wings attempt-for-attempt. Save for a weak second frame, when Big Ben Bishop was forced to come up big, the Bolts looked as good as anyone could expect a team on the second half of a back-to-back situation to look.
A rather uneventful first period gave way to a penalty-filled second period. After zero calls were made in the first, five minors were called in the second. Ample man-advantage time wasn’t enough for either the Bolts or the Wings to generate a goal, however, as both Bishop and Red Wings tender Petr Mrazek were solid. While their second period power-play woes didn’t hurt them on this occasion, the Lightning must figure out how to be dangerous in five-on-four situations. For a team with so much offensive firepower laden throughout the roster, the current man-advantage performance isn’t good enough.
Tampa’s brutally ineffective power-play was juxtaposed nicely with a very good penalty kill. While the Wings did manage to tally a number of shots and good scoring chances when they had the advantage, the Bolts were able to kill off both of Tyler Johnson’s second period minors. Give credit to Ben Bishop and the penalty killing skaters for keeping the game scoreless when it mattered most.
The Lightning’s offensive guns rewarded their defensive counterparts in the third period, when they were able to notch three goals to secure the victory. Tyler Johnson got the offensive party started at the 3:13 mark of the final frame when he deflected home his eighth of the season. Marty St. Louis and Ondrej Palat, the other two members of the team’s new-look top line, were credited with assists.
JT Brown gave Tampa the insurance marker about six minutes later when he tipped home a great Nate Thompson feed to extend the Bolts’ lead to two. That goal really seemed to be a backbreaker for the Wings, who were simply unable to rally back. Ben Bishop remained strong as the third wound down, and Alex Killorn was credited with an empty net goal to seal the deal on the 3-0 victory. Textbook.
The victory marks Ben Bishop’s third shutout of the season, which ties him for first among NHL goaltenders in that category. Simply put, the big man has been phenomenal for the Lightning. In this blogger’s opinion, Team USA would be foolish not to bring him along to Sochi even if he’s going to sit up in the press box. He leads all American goaltenders in goals-against average, save percentage, and shutouts. That’s Olympic quality goaltending.
For a team that had lost seven straight road games heading into Sunday’s contest, this win has to feel extra sweet. The Lightning will now head to New York, where they’ll take on the Islanders on Tuesday.
As always, thanks for reading.
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