Compounding matters was the depleted Lightning lineup - they were missing seven regulars due to injury or illness. Then, during the second period of the game, Jonathan Drouin, Victor Hedman and Braydon Coburn were all shaken up. Fortunately, Hedman was able to come back for the third period. Drouin and Coburn, however, weren't able to finish the game.
With all these elements working against them, the Lightning needed to limit mistakes and avoid playing from behind. But that didn't happen, either. The Bolts had a horrific start to the game, allowing a goal in the opening minute and struggling throughout most of the opening frame. During that opening period, unforced defensive zone turnovers allowed the Caps to apply sustained pressure. The Lightning weren't working as a five-man unit in any of the three zones, so they endured a lot of one-and-done sequences and lost a number of pucks in the neutral zone. The Lightning only registered two shots on goal in the first and one of those was a neutral zone dump-in.
So it was a poor first period, one in which the Lightning fell behind, 2-0. On Thursday against St. Louis, the Lightning were able to rally from such a deficit. But it's not a formula usually conducive to success. And while the Lightning began the second period with more cohesion, they couldn't slice into the Washington lead. Instead, the next goal went to the Caps. Alex Ovechkin came off the bench, received a long outlet from Dmitry Orlov and scored on a breakaway. Facing a three-goal hole and dealing with a shortened bench after the departure of Hedman, Drouin and Coburn, the Lightning couldn't build any momentum.
Hedman returned for the third and the Lightning had a power play chance at 6:25 with an opportunity to make it 3-1. But it was a quiet power play and the Caps added to their lead when Marcus Johansson came out of the box and tallied a goal off the rush. That was all she wrote.
Now, the Lightning get some much needed time off during the holiday break. Hopefully, they'll have some of their injured players back in the lineup when they begin a five-game homestand next Wednesday against Montreal.
Lightning Radio Big Moment of the Game:
Carlson's opening goal.
Lightning Radio Three Stars of the Game:
1. John Carlson - Capitals. Two goals.
2. Jay Beagle - Capitals. Strong all-around game.
3. Braden Holtby - Capitals. 23-save shutout.
