Home cooking struck for the Tampa Bay Lightning, as their stars shined in a 4-1 victory over the visiting Columbus Blue Jackets. This put the Lightning at 50 wins on the season, getting them to 108 points with 2 games left before playoffs, which begin on Monday, May 2.
Nikita Kucherov opened the scoring 97 seconds into the game with his 24th on the year; Steven Stamkos had the primary assist for point 98; Nic Paul had the secondary.
Columbus' lone goal came about a minute and a half after Kucherov's, which came on the power play. The power play goal came from Oliver Bjorkstrand at 2:59, for his 26th this season; Jack Roslovic had the first assist; and Zach Werenski had the secondary helper in his first game back.
Steven Stamkos' power play goal, which was the game winner, counted for his 38th of the season; assists were from Kucherov and Victor Hedman.
Stamkos' second of the game was his 100th regular season point. His 39th became the first time in his career to have a 100-point regular season. This also comes off the all-time franchise record for points as Stammer surpassed Martin St. Louis. The lone helper came from Kucherov.
Ondrej Palat's one-timer shot was his 18th of the campaign, where his shot beat Merzi clean after the puck arrived from in-between Werenski's legs. Kucherov had the setup pass from behind the net. Stamkos had the secondary assist.
Elvis Merzlikins had 28 saves on 32 shots for a 0.875 save percentage; Andrei Vasilevskiy had 20 saves on 21 shots for a 0.952 save percentage.
Stamkos and Kucherov each had 4 points in the game, having contributed on every goal last night against the Blue Jackets. Both stars are now at 19 points each in their last 6 games. Meanwhile, Victor Hedman is at 14 points in his last 6 games as an over point per game defenseman on the season.
The Lightning have now taken the season series through two games, even before their trip to Columbus tomorrow night. So far, the scoring has been 11-3 for Tampa, showing their full flex on their way to the postseason and showing why they will run their third Stanley Cup in a row. Their stars have the experience; the depth can hit, as every player but Stamkos, Kucherov, Cernak, and Cirelli had a hit registered; and the best goaltender in the world is in their crease. Even with the changeover in their depth, the core is still there on this team, and there is a younger and hungrier motivation from the new pieces to succeed with the champions.
CBJ Three Stars of the Game
1. Oliver Bjorkstrand -- PPG (26)
2. Zach Werenski -- assist (37), -1, 23:01 TOI
3. Jack Roslovic -- assist (23)
Other Columbus notes:
1. Boone Jenner and Sean Kuraly have both been confirmed to be no longer playing the remainder of the 2021-2022 season. Kuraly sustained a broken toe in their last home game against the Edmonton Oilers; Jenner has been out since near the deadline.
2. Jack Roslovic is on a five-game point streak, recording 4 goals and 2 assists in the stretch.
3. Oliver Bjorkstand has 2 goals and 2 assists in his previous two games.
4. Zach Werenski returned and is being pushed back to near max minutes, may be a mistake with just 2 games left.
5. Elvis is having his best month since the first month of the year, despite a losing record. Merzlikins is 4-5-2 with a 2.62 GAA and a 0.923 save percentage.
Up next, their final two games are on back-to-back nights, with the Bolts and the Penguins. Tomorrow night's game is in Columbus, where their last game is visiting a rested Pittsburgh team, as this last game may have playoff implications on home ice advantage. Anticiapting lineups will remain the same, and the Penguins continue to remain rested, this could be two more L's to sadly finish the season with.
With two games left, this may impact both of the Blue Jackets' first round draft picks.
If Columbus wins both games in any fashion, and both the Islanders and Jets lose both games in regulation, the Jackets could finish with the 14th overall pick with their own first rounder.
If San Jose wins both games in any fashion And Columbus loses both in regulation, Columbus could finish with the 11th overall draft pick.
If New Jersey and Philadelphia wins both games in any fashion AND Chicago loses both in regulation, the Blackhawks pick will finish at the 4th overall slot.
If Chicago earns one point, and New Jersey wins both games in any fashion, then the Blackhawks pick will finish at the 5th overall slot.
If Chicago earns 3 of 4 points in their last two games, the Blackhawks' pick will remain at the current 6th overall selection.