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The Tampa Bay Lightning (16-3-2) captured their 16th win of the 2017-18 regular season in dramatic fashion, coming back from an early two-goal deficit to defeat the Chicago Blackhawks (10-8-3) 3-2 in overtime.

Through the first 20 minutes of play, it would have been very easy to forget that the contest was actually being played at AMALIE Arena. Even though the Bolts were the home team, the Blackhawks fans were bringing the most noise and even the announcers on a nationally televised game belonged to the away team (something that is still boggling my mind by the way).

On top of that, Tampa Bay looked incredibly intimidated, more focussed on preventing an onslaught by their opponents than producing anything of their own.

The bizarre atmosphere translated into an early advantage for the Blackhawks, as they appeared to be the team hungry for a win. Patrick Kane put Chicago ahead on the scoreboard less than four minutes into the game with his seventh goal of the season. He would not be through with lighting the lamp, however, finding the back of the net later in the period on a powerplay to give the Blackhawks a 2-0 lead going into the locker room.

After the first period, things could not look bleaker for the Lightning as they were getting taken to town more ways than one in their own building. However, the Bolts came out of the intermission demonstrating a key characteristic of a truly great team, resiliency.

Tampa Bay prevented the Blackhawks from scoring again and found two goals of their own. Ondrej Palat cut the lead in half early on in the second and Chris Kunitz tied things up in the first minute of the final period.

The game would eventually find its way to overtime where Brayden Point would capitalize on a power play and give the Lightning the comeback win. After making the Lightning faithful quite nervous in the first period, the team was able to ease everybody's minds and keep this fantastic season rolling.

The Bolts will have Thanksgiving day off and then get back to work on Friday when they take on the Capitals at Capital One Arena.

To all of my readers celebrating, I want to wish all of you a very Happy Thanksgiving. Enjoy your day with family and friends.

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