The message to the team was received. The Lightning, using just three forward lines, decisively carried play in the third period. After allowing an early third period PPG to Jeff Skinner, the Lightning cut a 5-1 deficit to 5-3. They generated several other dangerous chances that could have pulled them even closer. They'll look to carry that style of play into Sunday's contest in Carolina.
The Lightning didn't have a poor first period, although they yielded a handful of chances off the rush (producing odd-man rush looks is a strength of Buffalo's). Brian Elliott made saves on chances from Kyle Okposo and Victor Olofsson (twice).
Point was the Lightning's most dangerous weapon in the first period. He scored the game's opening goal during a Lightning power play and posted six shots on goal in the frame. He extended his career-best goal streak to seven games.
But the Lightning surrendered a power play goal to Tage Thompson at 16:15 and the Sabres surged in the closing minutes of the period. They carried that momentum into the second, owning nearly all of the possession during the first half of the frame. The only exception was a two-minute span during which the Lightning went on a power play. The Sabres took the lead when Vinnie Hinistroza finished a shot from the slot at 5:35.
Tempers flared between the teams at the halfway point - there were a couple of post-whistle scrums and then, during a Buffalo power play, Rasmus Dahlin kneed Anthony Cirelli. Just as the ensuing four-on-four was expiring, the Lightning broke up a Dylan Cozens pass in the slot, but couldn't corral the puck. Instead, it caromed directly to Tyson Jost, who buried an in-alone chance from the top of the crease at 12:30.
The Lightning played very physically over the remaining minutes of the second, laying big checks on Buffalo players. There was a fight between Tanner Jeannot and Riley Stillman - Jeannot got the best of Stillman, who had to leave the game and didn't return.
But the Lightning didn't cut into the deficit. Instead, they fell behind by three when they allowed a goal off the rush to Jack Quinn at 19:46. In the second period of the past four games, the Lightning have been outscored , 12-2.
That set the stage for Cooper's decision in the third. A line of Nick Paul, Alex Killorn, and Brandon Hagel teamed up for the Lightning's second goal (Killorn tipped in a Nick Perbix shot) and later, during a Buffalo power play, Jeannot set up Killorn for a shorthanded tally. The Lightning posted 15 third period shots. If not for several key Eric Comrie saves, they might have completed the comeback.
Lightning Radio Three Stars of the Game (as selected by Greg Linnelli):
1. Tyson Jost - Sabres. Goal.
2. Jack Quinn - Sabres. Goal.
3. Tanner Jeannot - Lightning. Assist.
