The Lightning (25-24-8) went to overtime but fell to the Stars (23-27-10) 4-3 on Saturday evening in Tampa Bay's first game back following the newly implemented bye week.
Tampa Bay struck early in this one, when Victor Hedman hit the net just 3:07 into the first period. After the Bolts went on the power play midway through the period thanks to a high-sticking call on Esa Lindell, Tyler Johnson came through with a power play goal to make it 2-0. The Stars would not let the Lightning momentum last much longer, as Antoine Roussel came through under a minute later to make it 2-1. Dallas was determined not to go into the first intermission trailing, and it was Roussel coming through again with just over a minute to go in the period that tied the game at 2.
All tied 2-2 as the second period wound on, it was Victor Hedman coming through with his second goal to give Tampa Bay a 3-2 lead at 9:46 in the period. The Bolts would take that lead into the second intermission but the Stars ensured it would not live long into the third. Antoine Roussel came through with the hat trick goal 4:40 into the third period to tie the game at 3. Perhaps the best chance for the Lightning to win the game in regulation came when Brayden Point got behind the defense for a shot that went off the crossbar. The game would remain tied through the end of the third earning a point for each team.
Tampa Bay played well and put a lot of pressure on the Stars in overtime, getting four shots on goal early. However the Stars came down the ice and Jamie Benn scored on the Stars only OT shot to give Dallas the second point and the victory. Andrei Vasilevskiy finished with 24 saves in 28 shots on net for the Bolts, while Kari Lehtonen went 34-for-37 in net for Dallas.
Tampa Bay continues a road trip on Sunday night when they battle the Avalanche in Colorado. The puck drops in Denver at 8 PM and can be heard beginning with pregame coverage at 7:30 on News Radio 970 WFLA.
SCORING SUMMARY
1ST PERIOD
1. Tampa Bay - Hedman - (Boyle, Dotchin) - 3:07
2. Tampa Bay - Johnson - (Point, Hedman) - 11:59
3. Dallas - Roussel - (Hamhuis, Seguin) - 12:50
4. Dallas - Roussel - (Seguin, Eaves) - 18:50
2ND PERIOD
1. Tampa Bay - Hedman - (Johnson, Palat) - 9:46
3RD PERIOD
1. Dallas - Roussel - (Seguin, Sharp) - 4:40
OVERTIME
1. Dallas - Benn - (Eakin) - 3:47
PENALTY SUMMARY
1ST PERIOD
1. Tampa Bay - Namestnikov - (Too Many Men on Ice) - 4:11
2. Dallas - Lindell - (High Sticking) - 10:40
2ND PERIOD
1. Dallas - Shore - (Holding) - 9:01
2. Tampa Bay - Coburn - (Holding) - 10:16
3RD PERIOD
(None)
OVERTIME
(None)
SHOTS ON GOAL
Tampa Bay - 37
Dallas - 28