The score was close throughout as neither team opened up more than a one-goal lead. But flow-of-play was lopsided in the Lightning's favor. The Sabres had one very strong segment in the middle of the third period. But in terms of puck possession and an ability to dictate play, the Lightning controlled most of the rest of the game. That advantage is reflected in the shots (37-22 Lightning) and shot attempts (59-39 Lightning). The Lightning also enjoyed a big edge in scoring chances. Sabres goalie Carter Hutton, despite allowing five goals, had a magnificent game.
-In fact, the Lightning scored their final three goals on (essentially) perfect shots. Nikita Kucherov and Paquette put their shots into the top of the net and Steven Stamkos' power play goal was a one-time blast from his spot at the left circle. The other two to get past Hutton? On Dan Girardi's opening goal, Hutton didn't have his stick and couldn't make a second point-blank save on Girardi. Moments before Alex Killorn's rebound goal, Kyle Okposo accidentally knocked the puck away from Hutton after the goalie made an initial save on J.T. Miller. Of Hutton's 32 saves, many came on Grade-A Lightning scoring chances.
-Buffalo's top line of Jack Eichel, Sam Reinhart and Jeff Skinner did produce two goals for the Sabres. But as a whole, the Lightning did an excellent job defending Eichel's line. The Lightning held the three players to a total of five shots. In particular, the Lightning bottled up Skinner, who had netted 10 goals during the Sabres' winning streak but was held without a point tonight.
-The Lightning had to play for most of the game without Ryan McDonagh, who left in the first period after getting boarded. It appeared at the time that the Lightning would have to go on with only four defensemen, because Girardi had left earlier with an injury. But Girardi was able to return late in the first. The fact that the Lightning defended so well with only five D - and did so without McDonagh - was a big part of their successful night.
-Twice the Sabres scored a go-ahead goal. Both times, the Lightning answered with a goal of their own shortly thereafter. Killorn's goal came 43 seconds after the Lightning had fallen behind 2-1. Stamkos' power play tally occurred 1:43 after Buffalo had grabbed a 4-3 third period lead. Those quick-strike responses helped the Lightning avoid having to chase the game.
-One of the Lightning's best stretches took place after Paquette's eventual game-winner with 5:41 remaining. Just prior to that tally, the Lightning had endured Buffalo's best surge. Momentum shifted when Brayden Point and Kucherov countered on an odd-man rush. Kucherov hit the post, but Paquette would score shortly thereafter. Then, the Lightning thoroughly dominated the final minutes. They hemmed the Sabres back in the Buffalo end and limited any time the Sabres had in the offensive zone. Even after Hutton had gone to the bench for an extra attacker. The Lightning helped their cause by winning a handful of faceoffs down the stretch.
Not only did the Lightning play well in this game, they maintained a high level throughout most of the 4-1 homestand. Now they'll head to Sunrise to begin a three-game road trip.
Lightning Radio Three Stars of the Game (as selected by Jassen Cullimore):
1. Cedric Paquette - Lightning. GWG.
2. Carter Hutton - Sabres. 32 saves.
3. J.T. Miller - Lightning. Assist.
