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The Tampa Bay Lightning scored four goals in the span of 2:02 in the first period as they went on to defeat the Los Angeles Kings 5-2.
Nikita Kucherov had a goal and two assists while Steven Stamkos added a goal and assist for the Lightning as both players continue their torrid pace as the top two leaders in points in the NHL.
Tyler Toffoli and Oscar Fantenberg had the goals from the Kings who suffer their worst loss of the season.
In an 82 game season, games like this will happen. This is how adjustments are made to get better through the regular season with the hopes of being at top form once the playoffs begin.
“Our whole focus was trying to be a better checking team against that type of offense, and quite frankly, we didn’t do a very good job against it,… said coach John Stevens after the game. “Gave up easy goals- a breakaway, blue paint tap-in, fourth man on the rush, and then an easy entry power play goal.…
“So all those goals are situations that we’d like to be a whole lot better in, but it’s a gauge and a measuring stick for us… They’re the best team that we’ve seen and they’re a different animal.…
Los Angeles did have an opportunity to come back into this game. After Toffoli scored with 2:30 left in the second period, Anze Kopitar appeared to have scored in the dying seconds of the period.
The call on the ice was that the goal was good, but the Lightning challenged it saying that it was goalie interference. Upon the review, the referees deemed that Dustin Brown
This would have made the game 4-2 going into the third period and combined with the knowledge that Fantenberg scored midway through the third, this could have been a different hockey game. With that said, the Kings were outshot 43-24 in the game and 33-15 after the first two periods. The Kings did themselves no favors with that defense.
L.A. has a few goaltender interference calls not go their way this season, whether they’re the one challenging or scoring the goal. Needless to say, Stevens was not happy.
“I’m totally confused on the goaltender interference penalty, I don’t have a clue what’s allowed and what’s not allowed,… ranted Stevens. “Brownie goes to the net and wins a physical battle, and they disallow a goal. Then the other night in Anaheim, Corey Perry’s in the blue paint and he kicks [Quick’s] pad, and the goal counts.…
“If the league wants to put a seminar together I will attend it because I’m more confused now than I was at the start of the year.…
To add insult to injury, the Kings were without Adrian Kempe due to an illness. This caused a shuffling of the lines where Michael Amadio was forced to step up in between Toffoli and Tanner Pearson.
The Kings hope Kempe will be back on Sunday night as they take on the San Jose Sharks at the Staples Center. The Sharks were also victimized by the Lightning on Wednesday in a 5-1 loss, but before that they had won four of their last five games and will be looking to get back on track against L.A.