Bolts Turn Tables, Zap Punchless Penguins 5-1

As the old saying goes, “all good things must come to an end.” Such was the case during last night’s disappointing 5-1 loss to Tampa Bay at PPG Paints Arena. For the first time this season the Lightning played like two-time defending Stanley Cup champions. And our Penguins played like a team that was missing arguably its five top players.

It wasn’t for a lack of effort. The Pens competed hard in what was a surprisingly physical affair, even dominating the action at times, especially during the second period. But in the end, we just couldn’t get ‘er done against former Vezina winner Andrei Vasilevskiy, who turned aside 28 of 29 shots.

It was obvious from the outset the Lightning came to play. They piled up an early 5-1 edge in shots on goal. When Sam Lafferty rammed Ryan McDonagh into the end boards with a hard check, the Lightning took exception. Emerging from the penalty box after serving his minor penalty, Lafferty was challenged to a fight by Corey Perry, setting the tone for a physical and spirited opening period.

The Pens had two opportunities to grab the lead. With Mikhail Sergachev serving a cross-checking penalty, Evan Rodrigues broke free but rang a shot off the goalpost from close range. Scarcely a minute later, Brock McGinn pounced on a loose puck in the slot and drove it past Vasilevskiy for an apparent goal. However, referee Conor O’Donnell lost sight of the puck and whistled the play dead just as McGinn made contact with the rubber.

Compounding their mistake, the zebras then ushered McGinn to the penalty box on a phantom high-sticking call, even though Tampa’s Anthony Cirelli initiated the post-whistle scrap.

Still, the Pens kept their composure and held serve to the final horn. However, the second period was a different story. Thirty-one seconds in Brayden Point blew through the makeshift (and shaky) tandem of John Marino and Brian Dumoulin and beat Tristan Jarry with a backhander high to the short side to stake the Bolts to a 1-0 lead.

Our guys responded with a strong pushback. Mid-period, the third and fourth lines enjoyed extended zone time, unleashing six shots…four that found their way through to Vasilevskiy…in 58 seconds. However, as is so often the case, the Lightning countered on a quick-strike goal by Ondrej Palat, who split a leg-weary Dumoulin and Marino and beat Jarry high glove side.

Ten seconds later the Lightning made it 3-0 on a McDonagh snipe from the top of the left circle. Shades of Game 6 against the Islanders last spring.

Coach Mike Sullivan called time out to settle his troops…and his goalie. The Pens continued to push the play for the remainder of the period. But with the outcome pretty much decided, they faded in the final frame.

After the Lightning made it 4-0 on an empty-netter by Sergachev with three minutes left, we salvaged a morsel of satisfaction and snapped Vasilevskiy’s shutout bid on a strong individual effort by Jason Zucker, who drove to the net and scored on a juicy rebound with the man-advantage. The Lightning countered with a second empty netter to run the score to 5-1. In the process setting me up for an “I told you so” from my esteemed colleague, Other Rick.

Puckpourri

The Lightning outshot the Pens, 31-29, and held a slight edge in most statistical categories, including faceoffs (52 percent) and hits (34-27). Corsi For was dead-even at 50 percent for each team.

It was a night of “firsts.” Tampa Bay earned their first regulation win and we suffered our first regulation loss.

Jarry stopped 26 of 29 shots for a save percentage of .897. Jake Guentzel assisted on Zucker’s tally.

Only four locals finished the game even…Chad Ruhwedel and the line of Lafferty, Brian Boyle and Dominik Simon. Everyone else was a minus. Zucker and Marino, who paced the Pens with five shots on goal, had the worst marks at minus-four each. The tandem of Dumoulin and Marino finished a combined minus-six.

Dumoulin has the second-worst 5v5 shot attempts percentage on the team (44.7), ahead of only Zach Aston-Reese (44.4).

Next up for the Pens, old friend Erik Gudbranson and the red-hot Calgary Flames on Thursday night at the Paint Can.