It took a shootout but the Tampa Bay Lightning were able to leave Buffalo victorious, defeating the Sabres 2-1. The Bolts are now 7-0-1 in games that take place in the Buffalo, dating back to the 2013-14 season.
Tampa Bay has now won three in a row in the second half of a back-to-back. They are 4-4-4 in these games this season.
All About the Shootout
Yes, there was 65 minutes of actual hockey played, but our focus needs to be on the Lightning's performance in the shootout. That is how they secured the victory after all.
Tampa Bay went two for two on their opportunities with Brayden Point putting in the first goal. Point has gone an impressive five for seven on shootout attempts his rookie season. The goal everyone is talking about, however, belongs to Nikita Kucherov. He fooled Sabres netminder, Robin Lehner, with extreme simplicity, allowing the puck to just roll in while faked another move.
WARNING: This dangle is simply DISGUSTING. pic.twitter.com/AVaB5COUvn
— NHL (@NHL) March 5, 2017
I truly don't know what was better, the actual goal or the reaction from the bench.
Another Strong Start
Andrei Vasilevskiy's brilliant play in net cannot go unnoticed. He has taken on the role of number-one goaltender stunningly well since the departure of Ben Bishop. Vasilevskiy stopped 31 of 32 shots in regulation and overtime, and another two in the shootout.
If Vasilevskiy can keep it up, the Lightning should remain in the thick of this race for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference until the end.
Still a Chance
After Saturday night's win, the Lightning are just three points behind the final wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference, currently held by the New York Islanders. There are a lot of teams fighting for this playoff spot but the Bolts cannot ignore how realistic their shot of obtaining it is. They are a very talented team that has really gotten into a groove lately.
Tampa Bay will look to add another victory to their efforts when they take on the New York Rangers at home on Monday night.