One night after shutting out the Carolina Hurricanes, the Tampa Bay Lightning returned home to the friendly confides of the Tampa Bay Times Forum and beat the St. Louis Blues by a score of 4-2. Buoyed by a three point performance from Alex Killorn, the Bolts fought back and forth with the Blues for forty minutes before taking control of the game in the third period. The win moves the Lightning to 10-4-0 on the season, and gives them control of top spot in the Atlantic Division.
Saturday’s contest didn’t start all that well for the Lightning, as Alex Pietrangelo opened the scoring just less minutes eight minutes in. His wrist shot from a mile out beat Ben Bishop, who failed to track the puck on the play. Pietrangelo’s goal was the only blemish on an otherwise great night for the big goaltender. While he did allow another goal against later in the game, Bishop was rock solid in the Lightning crease. He made 28 saves on 30 shots against as he cruised to victory.
Rather than let one of the West’s best teams take control of the game, the Lightning battled right back. About three minutes after Pietrangelo tallied, Alex Killorn tied the game at one with a great individual effort. His first shot attempt was blocked, but the young forward jumped right back on the puck and fired it straight past Jaroslav Halak to knot things up. Since being promoted to the Lightning’s top line alongside Martin St. Louis and Steven Stamkos, Killorn has done nothing but impress. His three point performance on Saturday came as a result of hard work and pure determination.
Steven Stamkos gave the Lightning a 2-1 lead just under two minutes into the second frame. Skating into the Blues’ zone, number-91 made a slick toe drag before popping the puck right over Halak. Alex Killorn and Mark Barberio were credited with assists. The Lightning did not, however, hold the lead for very long. Jaden Schwartz notched his third of the season to tie things up at two just two minutes after Stamkos scored.
The back and forth continued through the remainder of the second frame and into the third period until Brett Connolly tipped home what turned out to be the game winner and his first of the year. It was great to see Brett get rewarded on the scoreboard for what can only be described as a great effort from start to finish. Perched in the slot, Connolly managed to get his stick on a Radko Gudas point shot to give the Lightning the 3-2 lead they wouldn’t relinquish. Valtteri Filppula, who had another very strong outing, was credited with the second assist.
Following a few key stops from Ben Bishop, Filppula scored his fifth of the season to give the Lightning a little bit of insurance. With about four minutes left in the game, Filppula banked the puck behind Halak and into the net. His marker was the final goal scored on Saturday night.
Overall, it’s hard not to be happy with what transpired between the Lightning and Blues. The Blues came in as one of the best teams in the West, and the Lightning looked every bit as good. The Lightning generated offense when they needed it and remained strong defensively when the game was on the line. Alex Killorn looked great, Brett Connolly was noticeable in a good way, Ben Bishop was rock solid, and Steven Stamkos reminded everyone that he’s the best goal scorer in the world. All in all, the Lightning’s tenth win of the year was a great one.
As always, thanks for reading.