The Tampa Bay Lightning allowed a late third period goal on Monday, and ultimately dropped a 3-2 decision to the Columbus Blue Jackets at the Nationwide Arena. The loss is a costly one for the Bolts, as they have just embarked on a seven day stretch that will see them play five games. It’s much easier to win with fresh legs than it is to win with tired ones. Tampa’s record is now 27-15-4, good enough for second place in the Atlantic Division.
After sleeping through the first period of play at Nationwide Arena, the Lightning’s lethargic attitude finally caught up to them early in the second. Just 3:46 into the middle frame, young star Ryan Johansen slapped home his 17th goal of the season to give the Blue Jackets a 1-0 lead. I don’t use the term ‘star’ lightly here. Johansen is everything a team could ever want in a young player. His breakout year continued on Monday with a very strong performance.
That Columbus goal seemed to wake the sleeping dogs, as the Lightning appeared to get their legs under them as the second period moved along. Only minutes after Johansen opened the scoring, Alex Killorn and Victor Hedman scored in quick succession to turn the 1-0 deficit into a 2-1 lead. For Killorn it was his 12th goal of the season, and for Hedman it was his 9th. Nine on the year puts Hedman second amongst National Hockey League defensemen in the goal scoring race. You’re missing out, Team Sweden.
The Lightning lead didn’t hold, however, as Columbus really took advantage in the final period of play. While officiating was questionable all night long, it’s not really an excuse for allowing two power-play goals against in the final twenty minute stanza. Regardless of what the officials do, teams have to go to work. As it’s been for the last few weeks now, Tampa’s penalty killing was an issue on Monday evening.
Nathan Horton scored the tying marker at the 3:09 mark of the third with JP Cote off for hooking. That goal was Horton’s 200th career tally; congratulations to him!
Just as it looked like Tampa Bay might squeak past regulation, grab a point, and play the game into overtime, disaster struck. With Tyler Johnson in the box for hooking, Mark Letestu tipped home his fifth of the year to give the Jackets the 3-2 lead they wouldn’t relinquish. The Lightning had a great opportunity to clear, but couldn’t do so. The result was catastrophic.
A lot of people will probably look at Anders Lindback’s stat line (3 goals on 28 shots against) and cry that the goaltender wasn’t good enough. I’d argue the exact opposite. When the Lightning were under siege early on, it was Lindback who made the big saves to keep them in the game. Of the three goals against, one was tipped in and the other two came as a result of great screens. Goaltenders can’t stop what they can’t see. Lindback was not the problem.
With the disappointing loss in Columbus now in their back pocket, the Bolts will head to New York where they’ll take on the Rangers tomorrow night. Hopefully they’ve got some energy left, as the Rangers are playing decent hockey right now. It’s going to be a battle at MSG.
And, for the record, I am absolutely buying what the Columbus Blue Jackets are selling.
Until post-game tomorrow, thanks for reading.