TAMPA, Fla. – Carolina kept throwing pucks toward the net, outshooting the Lightning 32-23 and 64-39 in shot attempts Tuesday night at Amalie Arena.
At first glance, the numbers may provoke some thought that something was terribly wrong with the home team’s effort. Yet, anybody watching the game could see that high-percentage opportunities were few and far for the Hurricanes. Certainly, that served as an about-face from what transpired Saturday night in the same venue when the Lightning coughed up a 3-1, third-period lead in losing to Toronto in overtime, 4-3.
On Tuesday, the Lightning (3-2-2) added to a two-goal lead after two periods and closed out Carolina with little anxiety.
In the news: Lightning Begin Five-Game Homestand Thursday Night
“We played a pretty complete game and I don’t think we gave them anything all night,” said coach Jon Cooper.
Jonas Johannson, making his sixth start in a Tampa Bay uniform, faced 52 shots Saturday evening, including several outstanding chances that during the third period and overtime. There was no such repeat Tuesday when Johansson recorded his second-career shutout behind 60 minutes of responsible play by those in front of him.
“You love to see all the guys get rewarded,” said Cooper. “When you don’t give up a goal in the game, its more than just the goalie. I think he would be the first to tell you it was a team shutout.”
In the larger picture, and after falling against Toronto in the manner they did, defeating a strong Carolina team, albeit one at the end of a six-game trip that included four games on the west coast, was exactly what the Lightning needed.
“Those type of wins, when you really need one, feel the best,” said Johannson, now 3-1-2 with a 2.99 GAA and .917 save percentage. “But two points is two points.”
In the news: Rangers, Diamondbacks An Unlikely World Series Matchup
The Lightning have two games remaining on their five-game homestand. They face San Jose on Thursday night and have the weekend off before Seattle visits Amalie on Monday evening.
The key of course, would be for the effort against Carolina to be more of the norm starting with the Sharks. The win served as a blueprint that will be ideally duplicated on a consistent basis.
“I thought it was a pretty workmanlike game for the guys,” said Cooper. “We got the lead, extended it and held it. That’s what we want to do in this league and we did it for 60 minutes.”
Android Users, Click To Download The Free Press App And Never Miss A Story. Follow Us On Facebook and Twitter. Signup for our free newsletter.
We can’t do this without your help; visit our GiveSendGo page and donate any dollar amount; every penny helps