The Tampa Bay Lightning continued to prove that they are the real deal as they topped the Arizona Coyotes 4-2 in Glendale, Arizona tonight. It was Tampa Bay’s third win in four games of a five game western swing that will end tomorrow in Denver.
The Bolts were led by forward Ondrej Palat who had his fifth career multi-goal game. Ryan Callahan and Steven Stamkos also scored, while defenseman Anton Stralman dished out two assists.
The first period was a tale of two halves. The Lightning dominated the first half, allowing only one Arizona shot on goal in the first ten minutes. The Coyotes controlled the second half scoring the period’s only goal when Tampa Bay turned the puck over in their own zone. The loose puck came to Coyotes defenseman Michael Stone who beat Ben Bishop through a screen for his third of the year and first in 35 games. The goal was assisted by Martin Erat and Lauri Korpikoski.
Shots for the period were 10-7 in favor of the Lightning.
The Bolts again started fast in the second period as Ondrej Palat got open and beat Arizona goalie Mike Smith with a slap shot on the power play to tie the game at one at 6:35. Ryan Callahan and Anton Stralman assisted on Palat’s 13th goal of the season. It was the Bolts first power play goal in their last 19 chances.
At 14:31, Ryan Callahan netted his 18th from Mark Barberio and Stralman to give the Bolts their first lead. Callahan somehow whacked the puck over a sprawled Mike Smith. The second assist on the night for Stralman was his seventh in the last five games.
The Coyotes were held to just three shots on goal in the second period. Shots at this point were 20-10 Tampa Bay.
Ondrej Palat scored his second goal of the game and his 14th of the season at 3:37 of the third period from Victor Hedman to make it 3-1 Lightning. Palat made a power move to get open and beat Smith five hole.
Steven Stamkos turned the puck over at his own blue line leading to a Mark Arcobello breakaway goal at 11:42 to pull the Coyotes to within one. This was a terrible turnover by Stamkos who should have given the puck to Hedman.
Stamkos scored an empty netter at 19:55 and the Bolts held on to beat the ‘Yotes 4-2. It was the Lightning’s second power play goal of the night and Stamkos’ 32nd of the year.
Shots ended 27-22 in favor of the Lightning.
Ben Bishop was solid, making 20 saves in winning his 30th game of the season. He is the only Lightning goalie to ever win 30 games twice.
Tampa Bay’s record when leading after two periods is now 26-0-2.
Ryan Callahan called it a “gutsy win,” though not their best 60 minutes and Ben Bishop said it was, “bend but don’t break.”
The Bolts remain in second place in the Atlantic Division behind Montreal who beat Columbus tonight.
Lightning equipment manager Ray Thill worked his 1,500th career game.
Luke Witkowski (healthy), Brenden Morrow (healthy), Radko Gudas (knee surgery, off crutches) and Matt Carle (abdominal surgery, skating) were the scratches.
The Lightning will visit the Colorado Avalanche tomorrow night.
(Feature Photograph/Getty Images)
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