Insider: Instant Reaction; Lightning 3, Ducks 2
It was another one of those adversity filled days for the Tampa Bay Lightning.
After getting the news about another teammate Steve Downie getting traded to the Colorado Avalanche earlier in the day, the Lightning got a visit from the red hot Anaheim Ducks on Tuesday night. And much like the previous nights after they took to the ice as a trade was being announced, they came away with the two points an inched ever so closer to a playoff spot in beating the Ducks 3-2.
“It was good, takes everyone’s mind off of what happened,” Lightning forward Steven Stamkos said. “Obviously, it was an emotional day for a lot of us, we lost Downs [Downie], a guy we were all so close with in this room, everyone respects and loves. Its the business of hockey sometimes-its not always pretty and we don’t have control of it. He was a great friend and a great teammate and just wish him the best of luck and move on the best we can. I think we were able to do that with a big win tonight.”
The Good: Steven Stamkos: Stamkos set the tone early in this game, scoring a power play goal just 28 seconds into the game. It was a huge goal at the time because it got the team and the building into the game. Stamkos would later add his 42nd goal of the season with just under two minutes left in the period. There is no doubt Stamkos has been the offensive force for his team this year, and on a night that one of his best friends got moved, he played on another level.
The Lightning with a lead after two periods: The Lightning this year are near perfect when having the lead after two periods of play. With a record of 18-1-1, if the Lightning have a lead after two periods, they are usually a safe bet to come away with the two points.
Mathieu Garon: Garon was stellar again against the Ducks, stopping 28 0f the 30 shots he faced. As much as has been made over the early part of the season, Garon has very quietly put together a very solid run of late. Over the last month, Garon has a 2.53 goals against average and a .907 save percentage.
The Bad: Shots Against: As good as Garon was in net tonight for the Lightning, the Lightning need to do a better job limiting the shots on goal. Thirty shots to a team with the firepower the ducks have is just asking for trouble.
Captain Out: The Tampa Bay Lightning announced that Vincent Lecavalier will be out indefinitely with a non-displaced fracture in his right hand. Lecavalier is believed to have injured that hand in Saturday’s game against the Washington Capitals.
Standings Watch: With the win, coupled with overtime losses by both Winnipeg and Toronto, the Lightning gained ground on both the 8th seed in the east and the division leading Florida Panthers. The Lightning now sit five points behind in both circumstances.
Up Next: The Lightning begin a three game road trip Thursday night in a must win game against the Winnipeg Jets. They will also visit Pittsburgh and New Jersey in a trip that will go a long way to determining this teams potential playoff fate.
Tags: Tampa Bay Lightning
