The Tampa Bay Lightning could not keep their winning streak alive on Friday night as they fell to the Penguins in Pittsburgh 5-2.
No Better Time For First Goal
Through the first 26 minutes, Tampa Bay and Pittsburgh were playing pretty equal in all aspects of the game. Then, Lightning struck (pun intended) for the 21-year-old, Adam Erne, as he scored his first ever NHL goal to give the Bolts a 1-0 lead.
First goal in the show ☑ï¸
— Tampa Bay Lightning (@TBLightning) March 4, 2017
Congrats on a beaut, @Adamerne73! #TBLvsPIT pic.twitter.com/poNzpm89Wa
The timing could not be any better for Erne's first goal as it gave the Lightning an advantage midway through the contest. Unfortunately, the lead would not last very long due to a powerplay goal by the Penguins two minutes later.
Completely Dominated in the Second
After a very even first period, the Lightning found themselves getting dominated in period number two by the Penguins. Yes, the Bolts were able to score the first, but that was all they had going for them. Pittsburgh outshot Tampa Bay 15-7 in the second and went into the intermission ahead 2-1.
Luckily for the Bolts, Peter Budaj did everything but stand on his head to keep his team in the game. The way Pittsburgh controlled the second period, the game very well could have turned into a blowout. Budaj made plenty of impressive saves keeping his impressive play this season going.
budaj budaj budaj budaj rocking everywhere. #TBLvsPIT pic.twitter.com/Tj49IrBUTF
— Tampa Bay Lightning (@TBLightning) March 4, 2017
Malkin Getting the Best of Bolts
The 2-1 Penguins lead heading into the third period was all thanks to Evgeni Malkin as he lit the lamp twice, scoring his 27th and 28th goal of the season. The NHL may not have felt the need to add him to the "Top 100" list but Malkin was definitely making an argument that they got it wrong with his performance against the Lightning.
Inability to Keep Momentum
The Lightning were able to forget about being outplayed in the second period quite quickly. Nikita Kucherov was able to score on the power play for his 28th goal of the season. Kucherov has simply been on fire for the Bolts lately providing a ton of offense for his team.
when the fire emoji puts on skates and a lightning jersey 💰 #TBLvsPIT pic.twitter.com/mK1vH5ClbN
— Tampa Bay Lightning (@TBLightning) March 4, 2017
Unfortunately, Tampa was unable to maintain any sort of momentum. Just over a minute after Kucherov's goal, Pittsburgh was able to regain the lead with Mark Streit's first goal as a Penguin. After Streit's goal, the Pens regained control of the game looking like the better team.
Tampa Bay struggled to capitalize on positive moments the entire game. Every time the team would produce something, they would immediately allow the Penguins to eliminate any sort of progress that was made.
A Game They Needed
Let's be honest, the Lightning simply cannot afford to lose at this point in the season. Unbelievably, this team is still very much in the race for the final wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference. Regulation losses just can't happen if they want to move past the four other teams battling with them for one spot.
Still, the Lightning were able to stay in the game for most the night against one of the best team in the East and the former Stanley Cup Champions. Tampa Bay has clearly picked up their play of late and they will look to get back to their winning ways in Buffalo Saturday night against the Sabres.
On a Side Note...
Did anyone else find it bizarre that Budaj was wearing his Los Angeles Kings goalie mask? I know that these mask designs are works of art that take time but I imagine something could have been done. Even if it is just a plain-colored mask...
Obviously not a big deal, just figured I'd bring it up because it just looked so strange.