ANAHEIM, Calif. — The Tampa Bay Lightning continued their California road trip for their third game of the 2025 year. Last night, Jan. 5, the team took on the Anaheim Ducks after losing 2-1 against the Kings.
Losing two straight games in perplexing ways, the Bolts sought a win but did not receive one. A third-period collapse again plagued the team, as defensive struggles and a lack of offensive motivation hurt them.
Jonas Johansson for the Bolts and John Gibson for the Ducks started between the pipes.
Anaheim started the period in a big way, a start the Lightning hoped to see for themselves. Troy Terry opened the scoring with a top-shelf, bar-down goal just five minutes into the first period, catching everyone by surprise.
The Bolts tested their first power play opportunity of the game with five minutes remaining, but displayed another poor showing of its declining effectiveness, which was once the best in the league. Throughout the game, the team looked drained and uncommitted, letting another California team dominate for three straight games.
Then, before the buzzer, new Duck, Jacob Truoba, wristed one at the blueline on Johannson for Frank Vatrano to tip in and make it 2-0 for Anaheim.
In the second, the Bolts drew another power play, and this time, put in the good work and capitalized on it. Jake Guentzel scored from a one-timer at the point and broke the ice to decrease the deficit to 2-1.
As for the third period, the Ducks accelerated and secured a win against the Bolts. Minutes to play, Leo Carlsson created a two-on-one with a stretch pass to Alex Killorn; the former Bolt then passed to Jackson LaCombe, who wrist-shot the puck past Johansson at 16:26.
With time winding down for the Bolts as they trailed by two goals, Jon Cooper pulled Johansson for the extra attacker. However, Ryan Strome backchecked, blocked a shot from Nikita Kucherov, intercepted possession, and went on a two-on-one with Vatrano.
Vatrano would score the empty-net goal and get his second of the night to call it a game for the Ducks with a final score of 4-1. A similar tale from last night in Los Angeles, the Bolts were denied by another goaltender who was having himself a night.
Gibson made 36 saves over the Bolts and was a prime denier to the Lightning’s star players, such as Kucherov, Anthony Cirelli, and Brayden Point; he deservedly earned the first star of the game.
Three Stars
- John Gibson (36 Saves)
- Frank Vatrano (2G-1A)
- Troy Terry (1G-1A)
This is another detrimental loss for the Lightning, who have now lost three straight games to start the new year. The team will head back home to face the Carolina Hurricanes on Jan. 7 to try and regain the momentum.
Meanwhile, the Ducks will stay put at home to face the Calgary Flames on the 7th.
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