If there ever was a scenario that felt like the perfect set-up for an understandable loss, it was last night for the Tampa Bay Lightning. The Bolts had played a game the night prior and were facing off against the surprisingly hot Los Angeles Kings. Tampa Bay was also sending their backup goaltender, Peter Budaj, between the pipes to add a few more cards to stack against them.
Although suffering a hard-fought loss would have been completely understandable, the Lightning went into the Staples Center ready to make a statement, did so, and handed the Kings a 5-2 beatdown in their own building.
For the Lightning, it was all about the opening period as the team wowed the hockey world with four goals in a span of two minutes and two seconds. Nikita Kucherov recorded his 16th goal of the season to get the scoring party started. Alex Killorn, Victor Hedman, and Steven Stamkos also added contributions making the game seemingly out of reach early on.
Coming back from four goals down is no easy task to take on but the Kings gave it their best effort. Tyler Toffoli recorded his eighth goal of the season in the second period and Oscar Fantenberg scored his first of the year in the third to cut Tampa's lead to 4-2.
Unfortunately for Los Angeles Vladislav Namestnikov happened. He made the Bolts' lead 5-2 almost 13 minutes into the final period with his eighth of the season. The top-line of the Lightning has been absolutely dominant posting a combined total of 32 goals between the three of them.
Peter Budaj put together a solid-enough performance to keep the Lightning ahead for the game's entirety, stopping 22 of 24 shots to beat his former team.
To say that last night's win was impressive would be an understatement. Tampa Bay not only came out of Los Angeles winning both games of a back-to-back affair, they put a beat down on the best team in the Pacific Division.
The Lightning will now take their 13-2-2 record to Anaheim to finish out there three-game California trip against the Ducks on Sunday night.