The Lightning had a much better game tonight as their offense came through especially on the power play as they went 5 for 8 on the night. Domingue also played well after having to step up for an inured Vasilevskiy. The Penguins were able to score some goals but shot themselves in the foot by taking too many penalties and then not being able to stop the Bolts offense. It was a huge win for the Bolts so lets take a look at how we got here period by period.

First Period

The Bolts got off to a slow start in this one as Pittsburgh got right to work looking to jump out on an early lead. The Penguins would pick up a few shots and then get the first power play of the night as Kucherov was called for tripping. The Pens got pressure on Domingue quickly and had what looked to be an open net but it was none other than Ryan McDonagh who stretched out his left hand to rob Malkin of the games first goal. The Bolts would not do themselves any favors though as just after they killed off the penalty Stamkos was called for hooking and the Pens would head back to the power play. The Pens would make no mistake this time as Hornqvist rifled one home to give the Pens the first goal of the game. Things then got a little heated as Paquette and Oleksiak went at it and both would get 2 for roughing to make it 4 on 4 hockey. As the 4 on 4 came to a close Sergachev would be called for delay of game sending the Pens to a 4 on 3 power play. during the Kill, Both Callahan and Letang would get called for a high stick extending the 4 on 4 keeping it a 4 on 3 power play. After a few chances turned aside by Domingue the Pens would finally capitalize as Phill Kessel sniped one past Domingue for a 2-0 lead. The penalties would then soon expire and we were back to 5 on 5 hockey. It wasn’t for long though as Pitsburgh put themselves in a bad situation before the end of the period. With under 30 seconds to go both Malkin and Kessel would head to the box (Malkin for tipping and Kessel for slashing) sending the Bolts to a 5 on 3. The Pens dug themselves an even deeper hole as Matt Cullen was called for tripping extending the Bolts power play. Then with just 3 seconds left to go in the period, Brayden Point went top shelf with an absolute beauty of a shot to get the Bolts on the board. The goal would come before any of the penalties expired so the Bolts would still have a 5 on 3 for over a minute to start the second.

Goals: 2-1 Pittsburgh

Shots: 14-7 Pittsburgh

Second Period

The Bolts quickly got to work on the 5 on 3 looking to tie this game. Stamkos then slid the puck right to Point who buried it home to tie this game at 2. the Bolts would still have one more power play remaining and Point made sure it didn’t go to waste. Just 40 seconds later Miller found Point in the slot who put one past Murray to get his first NHL hat trick and put the Bolts up by 1! With Points, natural hat trick coming in just 91 seconds Point set a franchise record for fastest player to score 3 goals and is now the 6th fastest in the NHL. The Pens didn’t le the Bolts celebrate for long though as they quickly went back to work looking to tie this game. Hornqvist then fired one into the back of the net to tie this game back up at 3. The Pens would once again not do themselves any favors as Garrett Wilson was called for interference giving the Bolts another power play opportunity after being perfect so far, The Bolts power play would continue their stellar play as this time it was Yanni Gourde who fired one home to take back the lead by a score of 4-3. As we passed the halfway point of the second period the Bolts would head back to the power play as Malkin was called for a slash. The Pens would finally be able to stop the Bolts though and keep the Bolts up by only 1. Just a few minutes later the Bolts would then head to the PK as Mathew Joseph was called for high sticking. The Bolts showed that their PK can do great things too as they shut down the Pittsburgh offense killing off the penalty. Almost immediately after the penalty expired the Bolts would then head to the power play as Oleksiak was called for boarding. The Bolts would not be able to capitalize though as the pens were once again able to kill off the penalty. Both teams would pick up a few shots before the horn sounded but neither could get any in the back of the net leaving the Bolts up by 1 at the end of the second.

Goals: 4-3 Tampa Bay

Shots: 22-19 Pittsburgh

Third Period

The third period was much different from the first two as both teams played much more disciplined and both teams played a slower pace game. Both teams went back and forth getting a few shots but Domingue and Murray turned them all away. It was an evenly matched period but neither team seemed like they could take control of this game. Time flew by as both teams looked for an opportunity to grab another goal. However, both teams played disciplined and would not take any penalties as the period went on. In this tightly contested match, time was of the essence and it was quickly disappearing. The Bolts went into lockdown mode as they played a defensive game looking to secure a much needed victory. The Penguins would then pull Murray with just over a minute to go looking for one last chance. Domingue and the Bolts D turned them away though and then Pittsburgh ended their chances as Letang was called for slashing. The period would then come to a close and the Bolts got a huge victory in Pittsburgh.

Goals: 4-3 Tampa Bay

Shots: 31-26 Pittsburgh

3 Stars

1. Brayden Point (3G)
2. Nikita Kucherov (3A)
3. Patrick Hornqvist (2G, 1A)

Up Next and Final Strike

The Bolts got a much-needed win and earned it. Domingue wasn’t stellar but good which is what the Bolts needed with Vasy now out for an extended period of time. the Bolts power play was fantastic tonight as they went 5 for 8. Brayden Point has his best game of the season as he made no mistake when shooting the puck. Kucherov was also a huge part of the win as he ended the night with three big assists. The Bolts will need to be a little more disciplined moving forward but a big win none the less.

The Bolts will look to continue their winning ways as they take on the Philadelphia Flyers Saturday, November 17th at 1:00 PM in the Wells Fargo Center.