Three games into this five game home stand and the Tampa Bay Lightning have three wins. In what was another nearly perfect effort from top to bottom, the Lightning skated to an incredibly impressive 5-2 victory over the Florida Panthers. In the end, the Bolts’ offensive guns were too much to handle for the Panthers’ injury-depleted core.
Considering their recent struggles, the Panthers actually got off to a decent start. They were moving their feet, getting in on the forecheck and matching the Lightning stride for stride. However, before any goals had been put up on the board, Anders Lindback was forced to come up with a massive save off a Scottie Upshall breakaway. That single save changed the face of the game and swung momentum towards the Bolts; they never looked back.
Shortly thereafter, Steven Stamkos opened the scoring on the power-play by popping his own rebound past Jose Theodore. Martin St. Louis and Vincent Lecavalier were credited with assists on the play, but the goal was truly a result of effort, effort and more effort from Stamkos. Clicking at 30 percent, the Bolts’ man-advantage has been a real difference maker this season. The unit’s ability to control the puck and ultimately put it in the net is so refreshing given the team’s struggle with the power-play since Adam Oates’ departure.
Only 15 seconds later, Peter Mueller scored his second of the season to tie the game. Anders Lindback got caught out of position and Mueller jumped at the opportunity to slide the puck past him. Despite allowing what can only be described as an avoidable goal against, Lindback did manage to stop 26 of 28 Panthers shots on the night. For the second game in a row, he showed that he does have what it takes to be a very good number one goaltender in the NHL. Through five games, he is sporting a 0.914SV% and a 2.80GAA. While those are hardly all-star numbers, it’s pretty clear that Lindback is more than capable of carrying the load that comes with being the Lightning’s number one guy. Specific to Tuesday’s game, he stoned the Panthers when he needed to and gave the Lightning a chance to win. At the end of the day, the Bolts really can’t ask for anything more.
Cory Conacher would round out the first period scoring summary and give the Bolts a 2-1 lead with his third of the season. Scoring on a partial breakaway, Conacher took a beautiful pass from Victor Hedman, used his speed to burst into the offensive zone and converted on the chance. It was incredibly easy to fixate on the finesse Conacher showed to score the goal, but it should be noted that Victor Hedman’s pass was just as incredible; it was firm, on point and timed perfectly. Any folks who were hoping to see a new Victor Hedman this year have seen their wish come true.
With four points through six games, Hedman has been a quarterback for the Bolts all season long. He’s making smart defensive decisions, starting key offensive breakouts and jumping up in the rush to create chances. This is the Victor Hedman that was drafted second overall; this is the Victor Hedman that will be a fixture on the Bolts’ blue line for years to come.
While the flow of play in the second looks fairly even on the stats sheet, it was the Bolts that took advantage of numerous odd-man rushes and Panthers defensive miscues to create good quality chances. Specifically, the Lightning’s bottom six forwards took control of the game by utilizing their speed and tenacity to beat the Cats in puck battles and on the scoreboard. Tom Pyatt and Dana Tyrell, who were fantastic at both ends of the ice all night long, scored bookend goals in the second to give the Lightning a 4-1 lead. That was all the Bolts would need to fly through the third period on their way to victory.
Vincent Lecavalier and Tomas Fleischmann traded goals in the third and that was all she wrote. The Lightning skated away with their fourth straight victory and a shiny 5-1-0 record. From a Lightning fan’s perspective, it has been a perfect start to this shortened season; Tuesday’s contest was a microcosm of the beautiful picture the Lightning have metaphorically painted so far this year. Rookie Cory Conacher scored a goal and added an assist, Vincent Lecavalier played another complete game, the bottom six forwards contributed in all areas, the defense was collectively solid (including Brian Lee, who played his best game of the season) and Anders Lindback played like a number one goaltender. While nobody is expecting the Lightning to go 47-1-0, it’s important to appreciate just how well this team has played. Right now, the guys aren’t showing any signs of slowing down.
As the Lightning move into the second portion of this home stand, it will be incredibly interesting to see whether or not the team can continue to compete at this level. Great individual performances have added up to victory through the first eighth of the season; here’s hoping that trend continues.
Thanks for reading.
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