Mishkin's Extra Shift: Lightning 7, Sabres 5

Before getting into the particulars of this game, let's acknowledge some of the individual milestones reached in the victory. Nikita Kucherov posted a goal and an assist to reach 100 points for the first time in his career. Yanni Gourde snapped a 13-game goal drought - his first period goal gave him not only the Lightning's rookie goal record (25), but also the rookie point record (63). He would add another point later in the game. Victor Hedman's empty-netter was his 17th goal of the season, a new career-best. Tony Cirelli posted the first two-goal game of his NHL career. Brayden Point recorded his league-leading 12th game-winning goal of the season, tying Steven Stamkos' franchise record.

Now to the game itself. The Lightning had a strong 45 minutes and a weak 15 minutes. During the first period, the opening minutes of the second and the entire third, the Lightning decisively carried play. The outshot the Sabres during that time, 32-18, and outscored them, 7-2. Their forechecking game, which has fueled their attack so effectively throughout the season, was outstanding. In particular, the line of Cirelli, Gourde and Alex Killorn dominated the Sabres. The three players combined to post eight points. Killorn and Gourde finished plus five and Cirelli was plus four.
Then there were those other 15 minutes. The Sabres generated a lot of momentum from an early second period penalty kill - a four-minute double minor to Marco Scandella. They limited the Lightning to just two shots during the two penalties and almost scored shorthanded on a Jack Eichel rush. They carried that momentum through the end of the second period. At one point early in the second, the Lightning were outshooting the Sabres, 16-11, and leading, 4-2. From that point until the second period ended, the Sabres scored three unanswered goals and outshot the Lightning, 14-2.
But credit the Lightning for putting that rough stretch behind them and bouncing back in the third. Cirelli and Point netted goals 47 seconds apart to give the Lightning the lead back. But even before Cirelli's tally tied the game, the Lightning were carrying play and had created several dangerous chances. Then, after going up, 6-5, the Lightning effectively locked it down against Buffalo. That included a solid penalty kill shortly after Point's goal to preserve the lead (the Sabres had scored two power play goals earlier in the game).
The Lightning have a chance to wrap up the Atlantic Division - and the number one seed in the Eastern Conference - with a win in regulation or overtime against Carolina on Saturday.
Lightning Radio Big Moment of the Game (as selected by Phil Esposito):
Cirelli's goal that tied the game at five.
Lightning Radio Three Stars of the Game (as selected by Phil Esposito):