Now that, Jason Botchford, was cupcake hockey.
The Tampa Bay Lightning did exactly what good teams aren’t supposed to do on Sunday night. Rather than play their own game, the Bolts played down to the Edmonton Oilers’ level and ultimately walked out of Rexall Place with a costly 5-3 loss. Simply put, they didn’t deserve to win.
While the final score is incredibly unflattering for the road team, Tampa Bay actually scored the game’s opening goal. With Justin Schultz in the box for delay-of-game, Nikita Kucherov ripped one of his now-patented slapshots past Ilya Bryzgalov to give the Lightning a 1-0 lead. Assisted by Matt Carle and Radko Gudas, Kucherov’s goal could have given the Lightning the head-start they needed. It could have propelled them to victory over the worst team in the Western Conference. Instead, it did the exact opposite.
Less than two minutes later, Jordan Eberle capitalized on some *interesting* Lightning defensive coverage to knot things at one. His marker, which was assisted nicely by Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Taylor Hall, was an especially costly one for the Bolts. Goaltender Ben Bishop was injured as he attempted to make the save. He left the game immediately and did not return. The Edmonton television broadcast announced that he was heading for X-Rays, but all I know for certain at this point is that he will be evaluated further tomorrow.
It’s hard to imagine what any stretch of time without Bishop might do to the Lightning. Aside from a Stamkos injury, which has already happened, a Bishop injury might just be the worst possible thing for this team. It’s crazy to think of all the injuries that have plagued the Lightning this year. No Stamkos. No Hedman for a stretch. And now no Bishop? Combine those huge holes with the ongoing depth injury issues and it’s practically a miracle that the Lightning have remained near the top of the Eastern Conference.
With Anders Lindback in net following the departure of Ben Bishop, Bolts Nation was so clearly on edge. As much as Lindback has been…okay this season, he hasn’t been Bishop. Those fears were realized less than two minutes into Lindback’s night as Jordan Eberle snapped home his second of the night to give the Oilers a 2-1 lead. Then, towards the end of the first period, Luke Gadzic (!) deflected home his second of the year to extend the Oilers’ lead to three.
Ugly doesn’t begin to describe the first frame. Perhaps our good friends over at Bolt Statistics can try to help out. Read into this what you will.
Remember, the count was 18-8 in favor EDM after the 1st. That was a 28-attempt 2nd period from TB.
— Bolt Statistics (@BoltStatistics) January 6, 2014Just when it looked like Tampa might be able to grab hold of the contest and walk out of Rexall Place with at least one point and possibly two, things went in the opposite direction. The Lightning that played a strong period in the second weren’t the Lightning that came out for the third period. Rather, it was the first period Lightning that lethargically walked through the final frame without a care in the world. In doing so, they allowed two goals and gave away the game. There’s no excuse for that. The players need to take responsibility.
Credit the Oilers for playing their game, using their speed, and taking down one of the better Eastern Conference teams. There haven’t been too many bright spots in Northern Alberta this year, but on this night the Oilers are victors. The Lightning will now head to Winnipeg, where they’ll take on the Jets on Tuesday.
As always, thanks for reading.