Radio broadcaster Dave Mishkin recaps Tampa Bay’s win over Florida on Tuesday

by Dave Mishkin

 December 10, 2019

On this night in Sunrise, the Lightning were decidedly the better team and deserving of the regulation win. They dominated puck possession during five-on-five play and, if not for Florida goalie Sergei Bobrovsky, would have won by a wide margin.

The Lightning’s best defense was their offense. For long stretches throughout the game, they had the puck and that possession advantage prevented the Panthers from going on the attack. The Lightning not only managed the puck well (so they cut down on potentially costly turnovers), they also attacked the Florida net relentlessly. They matched a season-high with 48 shots on net and, in terms of even-strength shots on goal, they held a 40-19 advantage. (This Florida total includes the shots taken during the six-on-five segment late in the third). But it wasn’t just the shot volume. They generated a high number of scoring chances, too. They were dangerous both off the rush and during offensive zone possession sequences.

The Panthers likewise are a skilled offensive team and they have an excellent power play. They were at their most dangerous when they went on the man advatnage. They posted nine power play shots during their three opportunities. But Andrei Vasilevskiy was outstanding in stopping all nine of those shots, including a point-blank save on Jonathan Huberdeau in the first period.

There were a few close calls that ultimately evened out. The Lightning hit a couple of posts during the third period when the game was still 2-0. The Panthers thought they had scored midway through the third when Brett Connolly deflected a point shot into the net. But officials determined on video review that Connolly’s stick was above the crossbar, so it was disallowed.

The Panthers eventually did score a sixth-attacker goal with two minutes left. But the Lightning defended well during those final 120 seconds to secure an important regulation victory.

Lightning Radio Three Stars of the Game:
1.Alex Killorn – Lightning. Goal and assist.
2.Andrei Vasilevskiy – Lightning. 27 saves.
3.Sergei Bobrovsky – Panthers. 46 saves.

Radio broadcaster Dave Mishkin recaps the Lightning’s 5-1 loss to the Islanders on Monday

by Dave Mishkin
December 9, 2019

In many ways, this game was similar to the earlier contest played between the teams in New York back on November 1. In both, the Islanders were able to grab a 2-1 lead in the second period. The Lightning pressed hard in the third but were unable to tie it. Then the Islanders converted an insurance goal after benefitting from a fortunate bounce. They would add a couple of more goals in the closing minutes.

But the games weren’t identical. This one turned on a couple of key sequences. In the second period, moments after Cory Conacher couldn’t convert on a breakaway, the Islanders scored off the rush. Ross Johnston finished a perfect shot from the right circle. A few minutes later during a Tampa Bay power play, the Lightning had a four-on-two. But they fumbled the puck and allowed a counter breakaway shorthanded goal to Josh Bailey.

So the Islanders were more opportunistic than the Lightning in building a 2-0 lead. But the Lightning pushed back and controlled play for the rest of the period. Steven Stamkos’ goal at 15:35 of the second pulled the Lightning to within a goal. And the Bolts carried that momentum into the third. They dominated puck possession during the early minutes of the period and generated several excellent chances. But they couldn’t find the tying goal. Then, the Isles took advantage off a bad break in the Lightning d-zone. A puck deflected from behind the net to the slot, where Brock Nelson was standing. He put in his own rebound to extend the New York lead. Shortly thereafter, the Lightning thought they had scored their second goal, but Victor Hedman’s tally was erased due to a successful New York challenge for offside. Nelson and Anders Lee scored two late goals to set the final at 5-1.

The Lightning played very hard in this game (This includes the line of Mitchell Stephens, who was making his NHL debut, Conacher, and Carter Verhaeghe. They were relentless in pursing pucks and winning puck battles). The Bolts recorded 71 shot attempts. They hit a handful of posts. But also, the Islanders, as they have done throughout the season, defended very well in their own end. The Lightning didn’t get many rebound shots because the Isles boxed out effectively in front of their net. And goalie Semyon Varlamov was solid in net, providing his teammates with key saves when they needed them. His best one was a sprawling glove stop on Pat Maroon at the side of the net early in the third period.

In the end, it was a game closer than the final score might indicate. One in which the Lightning, with a little more puck luck, may have deserved a better fate. But they can’t dwell on the result – instead, they need to get ready for a key divisional contest on Tuesday against the Florida Panthers.

Lightning Radio Three Stars of the Game (as selected by Phil Esposito):

1. Brock Nelson – Islanders. Two goals.

2. Josh Bailey – Islanders. Game-winning SHG.

3. Semyon Varlamov – Islanders. 31 saves.