Tampa Bay Lightning end three-game losing skid with win over the Toronto Maple Leafs
After losing their last three games the Tampa Bay Lightning finally got back to winning form with a 4-0 shutout of the hapless Toronto Maple Leafs on Tuesday, 9 November.
How it happened
The NHL's leading scorer Steven Stamkos was at it again scoring the first goal of the game, a power play marker at 11:10 of the first period, and the last goal of the game, his 13th of the year at 5:46
of the third period. Stamkos now leads the NHL with 24 points and is averaging almost a goal per game.
Just 29 seconds after Stamkos had opened the scoring the Lightning were up 2-0 when Nate Thompson scored his first of the season.
Dominic Moore continues to be a surprisingly productive acquisition for the Lightning this season as he scored his fifth of the year with less than a minute remaining in the first period.
After flying out to a seemingly insurmountable lead early on, the Lightning were in the driver's seat for the rest of the game and goaltender Dan Ellis was perfect on the night, saving all 28 shots that
he faced.
What they're saying
The Maple Leafs failed to capitalize on a 5-on-3 man advantage early in the first and the missed opportunity was a particular sore point for head coach Ron Wilson at the end of the game.
"This league is about scoring first, so we passed up a great opportunity," he told reporters after the game. "You've got to find a way to get our power play going because if you don't score - like a 5-on-3
- it's depressing not to score or even get a scoring chance."
Ellis, in goal for the Lightning, acknowledged the effect that killing off those early penalties had on his team.
"We killed off that 5-on-3 and that was a huge momentum burst for us," he said.
Stamkos continues to dominate the NHL in scoring and he's just hoping he can be consistent and the team can keep winning with him doing what he's doing. "Things are just going my way right now," he said.
"It feels really nice to help this team win. I'm just going to keep shooting the puck and going to the net."
The Lightning finally got some momentum back by capturing a win. They will need it as they have a huge test when they take on their Southeast Division rivals, the Washington Capitals, on Thursday, 11 November.
The Maple Leafs are now without a win in their last six games. They play back-to-back games in Florida as they take on the Panthers on Wednesday night.
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