During the opening minutes, the Lightning weren't sharp in their execution. The Rangers owned most of the possession and popped in three quick goals. But on the shift after the third New York goal, the Rangers took a penalty and the Lightning scored on the ensuing power play. That Alex Killorn tally helped the Lightning raise their intensity level and they played better in the second half of the period. They were also buoyed by a Pat Maroon fight with Ben Harpur at 17:09. It helped them get emotionally engaged in the game.
That was evident for much of the second period, a frame in which the Lightning decisively carried play. They posted 17 shots on net and generated numerous scoring chances. They pulled to within 3-2 at 7:10 when Darren Raddysh netted his first NHL goal. His point shot was deflected in front of Igor Shesterkin and went into the net. Initially, the goal was credited to Brandon Hagel, but it was later determined that the puck hit off a New York defender.
On the next shift, Tyler Motte converted on a breakaway, re-establishing a two-goal lead for the Rangers. Still, that goal didn't slow down the Lightning. They kept applying pressure and eventually climbed back to within a goal. Shesterkin stopped an Anthony Cirelli breakaway, but Hagel popped in the rebound.
The game had taken a physical turn during the first period with the Maroon-Harpur fight. The high emotions continued into the second. There were a number of big hits, post-whistle scrums, and two more fights. By the time the period ended, the Lightning's bench was shortened. Ross Colton was given 17 minutes of penalty time after he was assessed an instigation infraction and Cirelli left the game late in the frame and didn't return.
Just as the Lightning took control of the game in the second period, the Rangers dominated play in the third. They registered 16 shots on goal and created plenty of dangerous looks. Two of those went in, extending the New York lead to 6-3 and putting things out of reach. Still, after the Lightning's subpar start, they did well to battle back. In the third, however, as Jon Cooper stated afterwards, they ran out of gas.
The Lightning will look to tighten things up tomorrow when they conclude the back-to-back against a New York Islanders team that is clinging to the East's second and final Wildcard spot.
Lightning Radio Three Stars of the Game (as selected by Brian Engblom):
1. Tyler Motte - Rangers. Two goals.
2. Mika Zibanejad - Rangers. Three assists.
3. Brandon Hagel - Lightning. Goal.
