Lightning Win A Wild One

Seen Stamkos? Superstar!

In the most entertaining game of the year, the Tampa Bay Lightning overcame three, two goal deficits and scored the last three goals of the game to down the Flyers 8-7 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia. The Bolts won for the second consecutive night after losing six of the previous seven games.

It must have been a full moon as this was a frantic game:  Nine first period goals… 29 skaters registered points…12 combined Flyers and Bolts scored goals…Marty St. Louis had five assists but somehow ended the night at -1…Steven Stamkos had only three shots, but scored on all three…14 Lightning players had points including Dan Ellis the starting goalie who allowed four goals on ten shots…replacement goalie Mike Smith allowed three goals on 22 shots and got the win …Brett Clark scored in consecutive games for the first time this season on a slap shot that ripped completely through the net…former Bolt defenseman Andrej Meszaros got a rare clipping penalty and in the NHL’s highest scoring game of the season, defensive specialist Nate Thompson scored the game winner.

Steven Stamkos recorded his second hat trick of the year and third of his career, and added two assists. Stammer leads the NHL in goals (19), points (35) and power play goals (10). He is third in the league with 16 assists and remains third in shooting percentage (26.4) The Lightning superstar is on a ridiculous pace to net 82 goals, 69 assists and 151 points. I think this guy is ready to play in the NHL…right Barry?

Martin St. Louis dealt five assists tying a team record held by Mark Recchi. He is second in the NHL with 18 assists. The heart and soul of the Lightning is also third in the NHL in points with 26.

The Bolts special teams remained solid. They were three of nine on the power play and a perfect four for four on the penalty kill. Tampa Bay is fourth in the league on the power play (25.3%) and on the penalty kill (88.8%).

With the win, the Lightning (10-7-3) are fifth in the Eastern Conference with 22 points.

Simon Gagne missed his thirteenth straight game due to injury.

The Bolts travel to Buffalo on Saturday to face the Sabres.

*Steven Stamkos Photograph courtesy of Bridgetds.