The Tampa Bay Lightning hosted the Edmonton Oilers on Tuesday night in their second game back since the 4 Nations break. After pushing through a brutal month of January, the Lightning earned their sixth straight win this month, with four of those coming out of the Atlantic Division.
The league’s leading goal scorer, Leon Draisaitl, opened the scoring on an Edmonton power play. The Oilers didn’t hold the lead for long, as Mikey Eyssimont tied the game a little over a minute later.
If there was an area where the Lightning have needed the most help this season, it’s depth scoring. This was the sixth straight game the Lightning got a boost from a bottom-six player and based on their record, it’s working out in their favor.
Andrei Vasilevskiy was on his A-game, stopping Connor McDavid on numerous rushes and limiting Draisaitl on four of his five shots.
“When I see the puck on his blade, I know that I have, like, only a few seconds to get ready before something will happen,” Vasilevskiy said of Connor McDavid. “So, it’s either good for me or bad for me. It’s such a joy to watch him play out there.”
“They have a bunch of good players, but obviously Draisaitl and him, just one of the best to have ever played in this league, and it’s really interesting to play against them. You almost like to compare your skill to their skill to see where you’re at in your career.”
For the Lightning, it was one of their most complete games this season, with the entire team operating as one stout defensive unit. Their forechecking gave Edmonton issues for the entirety of the game.
The Bolts allowed just four high-danger chances at even strength. They’re currently 8th best in the league when it comes to goals that are scored against them 5-on-5, last year they finished 28th.
“Tonight’s game sticks out because we really defended well. We’re not giving up a slew of chances,” said Jon Cooper. “When we do, it’s one and that’s it. The odd man rushes aren’t there, so we’ve really done a good job in just concentrating on the area that you need to to win. And hence, a few in a row have gone by here now.”
Tampa Bay will look to get seven in a row when they host the Calgary Flames on Thursday. The win brings them within three points of the Florida Panthers who hold second place in the Atlantic Division.
