The Tampa Bay Lighting (49-19-4) snapped a two game losing streak by knocking off the Edmonton Oilers (31-36-5) on Sunday evening to improve to 102 points and get that much closer to clinching a postseason birth.
Louis Domingue got the start in net for the Lightning in the second game of a back-to-back, and after the team had two subpar performances in their last two games, this one got off to a dismal start. After Domingue turned the puck over in his own net, Ty Rattie drove it into the net just fourteen seconds into this first period in a shot that can only be described as unlucky. However, after that shot, the Lightning played well as the period progressed, and Victor Hedman came away with the equalizer at the 15:12 mark and this game would be tied 1-1 going into the first intermission.
In the second period, the Lightning started strong and took advantage of a power play opportunity - Nikita Kucherov scored on the penalty at the 2:24 mark. This game would remain 2-1 as the second period progressed, and into the third period, as the Lightning were able to answer every Edmonton surge, including several key penalty kills. In the third period the Oilers pushed on a power play opportunity with the most dangerous chances of all, but Louis Domingue stood tall. Moments after he made six key saves over a brief stretch, the Lightning got the insurance goal as Kucherov scored again at the 11:34 mark to take a 3-1 advantage that would turn into the final score. All told the Lightning went 5-for-5 on the penalty kill, a marked improvement from Saturday's loss against Boston.
Domingue saved 29 consecutive shots after the first unlucky bounce to get the win in net for the Lightning, and appear to tighten his grip on the backup goalie job going into the playoffs. Al Montoya went 37-of-40 in net in the losing effort for the Oilers. Tampa Bay now prepares to wrap up this eight-game home stand against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Tuesday. Face-off is set for 7:30 and pregame coverage gets underway at 6:30 on News Radio 970 WFLA.
SCORING SUMMARY
1ST PERIOD
1. EDM - Rattie - (None) - 0:14
2. TBL - Hedman - (Point) - 15:12
2ND PERIOD
1. TBL - PPG - Kucherov - (Stamkos) - 2:24
3RD PERIOD
1. TBL - Kucherov - (Stamkos, Miller) - 11:34
PENALTY SUMMARY
1ST PERIOD
1. EDM - Stone - (Tripping) - 6:51
2. EDM - Khaira - (Hooking) - 12:21
2ND PERIOD
1. EDM - Sekera - (Tripping) - 1:36
2. TBL - Hedman - (Tripping) - 5:06
3. TBL - Gourde - (Tripping) - 12:54
3RD PERIOD
1. TBL - Gourde - (Cross Checking) - 5:56
2. TBL - Gourde - (Delaying Game - Faceoff Violation) - 11:53
3. TBL - Killorn - (High Sticking) - 13:25
4. EDM - Bear - (Hooking) - 17:33
SHOTS ON GOAL
Tampa Bay - 40
Edmonton - 30