It’s just one game, but Lightning have plenty to build from

by Erik Erlendsson | @Erik_Erlendsson | Like us on Facebook
December 20, 2016

TAMPA, Fla. –Repeat after me – it’s just one game.

One game does not make or break a season, nor can one game be considered the turning point at the moment it happens.

But there was a lot to like about the one game the Tampa Bay Lightning played on Tuesday, knocking off Detroit 4-1 at Amalie Arena to start an important stretch of games that could make or break the season.

Jonathan Drouin and Brayden Point each had a goal and an assist, while Andrei Vasilevskiy picked up the victory, stopping 22 shots in relief of Ben Bishop, left with an injury in the first period.

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Brian Boyle and Vladislav Namestnikov also scored for Tampa Bay, which has just three wins in the past 11 games, but is 2-1-1 in the past four.

But Tuesday’s victory was, well . . .

“It’s just one game,” Lightning head coach Jon Cooper said. “But we needed to start off this little run of home games and we had to play with desperation and I thought we did that. There is a lot we can build off this, no question. I’m really proud of the effort the guys gave tonight.”

But it was just one game.

There were a lot of things to like about the game, however, from the Lightning perspective.

The penalty kill, much maligned over the recent rough stretch, killed off five Detroit power play opportunities – including two in the opening period and a 39-second two-man advantage midway through the second period when it was still a two-goal game. The power play, one of the team’s strengths all season, converted twice while taking advantage of a 5-on-3 early in the second period to build on a first-period lead.

At even strength, Tampa Bay proved the better team as well, controlling most of the play through the first two periods with a controlled effort, not giving up any odd-man rushes and defending their own zone.

But it was still, just one game.

“It’s important to understand that when we are skating and on our game, it’s not going to be easy for us, but it’s going to create a lot more opportunities for us to have success,” Boyle said. “Tonight, in the first, we got the one goal, but we had a great period, so we wanted to continue to do that and play sixty minutes. And a win is what we needed, especially on home ice, so that’s one win. We have a real tough test the next two games.”

For one game, the Lightning passed an important test, winning a game they knew that had to win if the season is going to start going on an uptick instead of remaining on a slide. Winning the first game during an important part of the schedule that will see the team remain at home until Jan. 7, with the exception of a Dec. 23 game at Washington.

Drouin was again masterful as he continues to emerge as a dominant type player, setting up the first goal as he controlled the puck around the back of the net to find Anton Stralman at the right point where he fired a pass that Boyle deflected past Jimmy Howard 7:02 in to the game. Drouin then scored his eighth goal of the season on the two-man advantage, waltzing right in to the slot area to rip off a mini slap shot at 7:41 of the second period. Those were just the plays that ended up on the score sheet.

“He’s in command of himself and his game, to the point where he goes a little bit overboard, he’s so confident,” Cooper said of Drouin. “But you want a player being that way. He controls the tempo on the power play, which is a big asset that he has. Just his confidence when he plays, it’s just night and day to when he first came in to the league.”

So with a season starting to feel like it was teetering on the brink and the Lightning needing to deliver a message to themselves as well as their fans, the team responded for one night.

But it was just one game to help boost team confidence.

“Ultimately, bank those points . . . good job fellas,” Cooper said. But “we got two more before the (Christmas) break.”

Now it’s about carrying over one game right in to the next one.

Postgame notes: D Victor Hedman recorded his 200th career assist. … D Nikita Nesterov was a healthy scratch. … LW Ondrej Palat missed his third consecutive game with an undisclosed injury, but did take part in the morning skate wearing a red no-contact jersey. … RW Ryan Callahan and RW Nikita Kucherov did not take part in the morning skate. … Tampa Bay recorded multiple power play goals in a game for the eighth time this season. … C Tyler Johnson registered his 35th career multi-point game. … C Valtteri Filppula will sign autographs and take photos for anybody who brings a new, unwrapped toy to donate to Metropolitan Ministries on Wednesday at Tampa Bay Sports store, accessible from the plaza at Amalie Arena from approximately 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Fans may select either an autograph or a photo, limit of one. Autographs and photos are guaranteed to the first 200 people.

My three stars:

1. Lightning LW Jonathan Drouin– Goal, assist and was dynamic with the puck all night

2. Lightning C Brayden Point – Goal, assist, plus-2

3. Lightning LW Brian Boyle – Goal, six shots, 4-for-6 on faceoffs