If you needed any further evidence that the Tampa Bay Lightning are rounding into form after a slow start to the season, last night’s 3-2 victory over the previously undefeated Washington Capitals should help make the case. Here are last night’s thumbs:
Thumbs Up: Reaffirming the Defensive Identity I wrote in this space just over a week ago that the Lightning are going to have to learn to win a different way after losing their entire third line and Nikita Kucherov. They’ve essentially done that. Last night was another example of the Lightning just not giving up much; the underlying numbers in the game don’t look particularly special for Tampa Bay, but the eye test didn’t look particularly special for Washington. If you went back and watched a tape of the game, you’d have a hard time believing that the Capitals were loss-less before this one.
Thumbs Up: Alex Killorn’s Start to the Season The Lightning needed someone to step up this year with the loss of those aforementioned players, and Alex Killorn seems to have stepped up to meet that call to action. He scored his seventh goal and 10th point in his ninth appearance this season, continuing a start that undoubtedly marks the best of his career. Good for him.
Thumbs Up: Cal Foote’s Debut That was as good as Cal Foote has looked in a Lightning jersey. Nothing happened when he was on the ice, which is perfectly acceptable for someone who plays the game like he does.
Thumbs Down: Not Letting Ovechkin Score The perfect Lightning game against the Capitals is a 6-5 win in which Alex Ovechkin scores all five Washington goals. I want to see him break the record.
Thumbs Down: Corey Perry Criticism I saw some criticism of Corey Perry’s game floating around social media during the game, most of it pointing out that he’s notched a grand total of zero points through nine games. Even as someone who didn’t love the signing when it was announced, I don’t think much of that criticism is fair. While it’s true that Perry has yet to find the scoresheet, he’s actually been fairly effective as a bit of a swiss army knife in Jon Cooper’s lineup. Take last night, as an example: Perry was on the right side of both the shot attempt and expected goal share at five-on-five. That’s been the story of his season – Perry actually *leads* all Lightning regulars in five-on-five expected goal share, per Natural Stat Trick; he sits at a whopping 61.68%.
So, sure, the puck hasn’t been bouncing his way. But he’s been more than fine for this Lightning team. The puck luck will come.
--
As always, thanks for reading.