Tampa Bay Lightning weaken Chicago Blackhawks playoff position by shutting them out 2-0 –NHL Update
Even though Tampa Bay has secured a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, it does not mean that they should show mercy to teams still looking to retain a postseason berth. Lightning struck hard on Chicago Blackhawks on Sunday night as they shut them out,
2-0, at the United Centre in Chicago, Illinois.
Tampa Bay extended its winning streak to five games in a row after blanking the 21,000 plus Chicago crowd.
Lightning’s backup goalie for Dwayne Roloson, Mike Smith, recorded his first shutout in over a year as he made a perfect 31 saves against the former Stanley Cup champions.
It was the 11th shutout of his six-year National Hockey League career.
"Every win is rewarding. But against the defending Stanley Cup champions, whenever you beat a team like that, it's more rewarding," said Smith, making his fourth start since mid-December, giving Roloson a chance to take it easy.
Blackhawks' goalie, Corey Crawford, faced nearly half as many shots as Smith did but was only able to block 13 of 15 attempts.
Tampa’s centre player, Vincent Lecavalier, scored the game’s first goal when Chicago’s Niklas Hjalmarsson gave the only power play opportunity of the period.
Both teams remained locked down by both goaltenders during the second period and were unable score.
Lecavalier was unintentionally high sticked by the home teams centre Michael Frolik during the second period.
He did not return after getting stitches above his eye as he had problems seeing according to Tampa Bay coach Guy Boucher. It would not be safe to say anything until he is reassessed the next day.
Simon Gagne extended his point streak to six straight games in which he has four goals and seven assists.
He gained his second assist of the night after redirected a pass from Adam Hall to Nate Thompson who scored with 22 seconds remaining on an empty net.
"We want to prepare to be a better team and be a team that's going to compete far into the playoffs,” Blackhawks Captain Jonathan Toews said after a frustrating match.
Lightning is currently fifth in the Eastern Conference and just a point under the Pittsburgh Penguins with 99. They go on to face the playoff hungry Buffalo Sabres on Tuesday to finalize their three-game road trip.
Chicago on the other hand should be bracing up to face a couple of problems of their own.
They have four matchups remaining in the regulation season and are yet to clinch a playoff spot.
Facing the Montreal Canadiens on Tuesday, they have a chance at grabbing the seventh number spot in the Western Conference, overthrowing the Anaheim Ducks. It will be a crucial win for them to widen the gap between themselves and chasing teams like the Calgary
Flames who are under them by only a point.
If Chicago lose their upcoming game against the Canadiens, than Calgary has a chance at throwing them out of the elite eight race altogether.
Tags: