The Bolts looked like they were going to mount a comeback as they put the game within one on captain Steven Stamkos’s second goal of the night but the Stars were able to answer with one of their own. On Thursday, the Lightning squandered their only two chances in the first period – one coming when the game was tied and the other when trailing by a goal.
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Just call him Star slayer – Stamkos sure puts on a show when he skates against that team.
Dallas grabbed a lead 2-1 late in the opening period on another power-play goal, this from Benn – his third of the season – with assists from Spezza and center Tyler Seguin. You know what to do.
With plenty of time and momentum on their side, the Lightning saw their rally spark extinguished at 10:29 when Spezza scored for the Stars, helped out by Hemsky and Alex Goligoski.
The Lightning lost to the Stars 5-3 before 19,092 at Amalie Arena, its second straight defeat. “We’ll see (Friday), we’ll get a better feel”.
But the Lightning’s special teams cost it. The power play went 0-for-2, struggling to sustain possession. Nesterov got a five-minute penalty and a game misconduct. And Tampa Bay had its share of chances (70 shot attempts), including hitting two posts, with goalie Kari Lehtonen having a stellar game (30 saves).
The Lightning could make a defense callup or two before Saturday’s game against Buffalo, possibly Slater Koekkoek or Luke Witkowski. Penalties-Klingberg, Dal (holding), 10:34; Namestnikov, TB (holding), 13:20; Roussel, Dal (cross-checking), 17:15.
The first of those came from Cody Eakin on assists from Mattias Janmark and Colton Sceviour at 9:34.
Dallas was on top 2-1 after the first period.
That was followed at 18:12 by a power play tally from Jason Demers.
Heading into the third down 4-1, the Lightning cut into the lead at the 7:06 mark on a goal from Vladislav Namestnikov who was assisted by Stamkos.
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Things went from bad to worse after that as Nikita Nesterov took a 5-minute major for a hit from behind against Curtis McKenzie, who left the ice with assistance. 7, Tampa Bay, Stamkos 4 (Drouin, Boyle), 8:44. And now Tampa Bay may have to face the possibility of being without Norris Trophy candidate Victor Hedman for the foreseeable future.
