TAMPA BAY, Fla. — The Tampa Bay Lightning played a well-rounded defensive game last night at Amalie Arena against the Philadelphia Flyers to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day.
As was a recurring trend, both teams’ goaltenders played their best games. But Andrei Vasilevskiy, getting his start, was absolutely impressive, making 21 saves in 60 minutes.
From the first period, both teams drew consequential minors minutes before the buzzer, but that didn’t stop stars like Nikita Kucherov from scoring first. Unassisted on the four-on-four play, Kucherov went on a breakaway between Fedotov and displayed “silky mitt” moves to open the scoring.
During the middle frame, the Bolts were put on a four-minute double-minor penalty kill, but dominated offensively against a struggling Flyers power play. Neither team scored in the second period, so the Lightning went into the third period with a narrow lead.
After the first half of the third period, the Flyers turned on the jets and had more breakouts to tie the game. However, similar to the second period, a team drew a four-minute penalty, as the Flyers gave away a double-minor power-play opportunity to the Bolts, and the home team did not waste it.
With 1:30 left in regulation, Jake Guentzel capitalized on the Philly empty net and solidified a 2-0 win for his team. Vasilevskiy grabbed yet another shutout victory for his already incredible record after making 21 saves.
Three Stars
- Andrei Vasilevskiy
- Ivan Fedotov
- Nikita Kucherov
Now the Lightning head on the road to face their western foes, with the first game being on Thursday, March 20, against the Dallas Stars.
ITR 31: Let Them Fight – Inside The Rink
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