In a game chock-full of fights the Tampa Bay Lightning were able to score four goals on a relatively low amount of shots against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Last season the Leafs swept the season series against the Bolts, winning all four matchups. This season the Leafs have been tough on the road and goalie Ben Scrivens came into the game with a two-game shutout streak.
The Lightning opened the scoring in the first period on Vincent Lecavalier’s sixth goal of the season.
Benoit Pouliot and Martin St. Louis assisted on the goal and St. Louis now leads the league with 18 helpers. Toronto tied the game late in the period on Michael Grabovski’s fourth goal.
Steven Stamkos scored his 10th goal of the season early on in the second period and Tampa Bay was able to take a one-goal lead going into the final stanza. The Bolts only managed 10 shots in the first two periods but they made the most of their few chances. Their defense played well in the second period by not allowing a single scoring chance.
Tampa Bay has been the best third period team in the league this season, scoring a league-high 28 times. Tuesday was more of the same as Tampa Bay was able to score twice in the period and seal the victory. Bolts rookie Alexander Killorn scored his second career goal early in the third period after an assist by BJ Crombeen. A bad turnover by Toronto led to a goal by Lightning defenseman, Matt Carle and the lead was up to 4-1. Scrivens was pulled after the goal and the Leafs goalie was beaten four times on 13 shots.
The game turned into a showcase of fists after Carle’s goal and James Van Riemsdyk added a power-play goal late for the Leafs. The win Tuesday night is the second in a row for Tampa Bay after a gritty third period comeback that lead to an overtime win in Sunrise, Florida against the Panthers on Saturday afternoon.
Tampa Bay (8-6-1) will host the hated Boston Bruins on Thursday. Toronto (10-7-0) will host the Buffalo Sabres on Thursday as well.
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