The Tampa Bay Lightning lost 5-1 to the New York Rangers after going 0-for-7 on the power play and allowing Igor Shesterkin to score the first goalie goal in Rangers franchise history. Shesterkin also made 24 saves as New York capitalized on Tampa Bay’s defensive mistakes.
Dave Mishkin recapped the loss for the Tampa Bay Lightning. The Rangers scored twice in the first period, added two goals in the second and completed the scoring with Shesterkin’s empty-net goal late in the third.
Rangers take control in the first period
Mika Zibanejad opened the scoring at 5:34 of the first period. Pavel Dorofeyev’s shot from the slot hit the crossbar, and the rebound went to Zibanejad at the left circle before he beat Andrei Vasilevskiy with a shot into the top of the net.
Victor Hedman lost his stick during the sequence, and Anthony Cirelli gave Hedman his own stick. The Lightning remained down a player and a stick when Zibanejad scored.
Tampa Bay generated several quality chances after the goal, but Shesterkin stopped them. New York extended its lead at 10:51 when Oliver Bjorkstrand forced a neutral-zone turnover and Dorofeyev finished the resulting chance into an open side of the net.
The Rangers led 2-0 after the first period. New York recorded only two shots on goal after its early tally, but one of those shots produced Dorofeyev’s goal.
New York adds two goals in the second
The Rangers outchanced the Tampa Bay Lightning and outscored them 2-1 in the second period. Eeli Tolvanen’s centering feed from the right circle deflected off the skates of Hedman and Charle-Edouard D’Astous before sliding into the Tampa Bay net at 1:40.
The Lightning got on the scoreboard at 7:59. Nikita Kucherov’s pass from the side of the Rangers net hit Noah Laba and crossed the goal line.
Gabe Perreault restored New York’s three-goal lead at 16:01. After Tampa Bay lost the puck in the defensive zone, Adam Fox’s shot from the right point was deflected by Perreault before the puck hit Perreault’s body and got past Vasilevskiy.
Power play does not produce
Tampa Bay went 0-for-7 on the power play. The Lightning received four power plays in the third period but managed only six shots in the frame.
Jon Cooper pulled Vasilevskiy for an extra attacker twice during a power play, but Tampa Bay did not score. Vasilevskiy went to the bench again late in the third period at even strength.
After a Tampa Bay dump-in, the puck hit the end boards and ricocheted to Shesterkin. The New York goaltender sent a shot down the ice and into the open net, recording the first goalie goal in Rangers franchise history.
Shesterkin leads Lightning Radio three stars
Shesterkin was selected as the top performer in the Lightning Radio Three Stars of the Game after making 24 saves and scoring a goal. Adam Fox was recognized after recording two assists.
Joseph Veleno rounded out the selections after playing 6:33 of shorthanded ice time and going 10-5 on faceoffs. The three selections reflected New York’s ability to capitalize on Tampa Bay’s mistakes and limit the Lightning’s special-teams production.
FSB Take
The Tampa Bay Lightning could not overcome defensive breakdowns, missed power-play opportunities and Shesterkin’s performance. Tampa Bay had quality chances early, but the Rangers turned their opportunities into goals while the Lightning finished without a power-play goal.
The Lightning will play their home opener Saturday against Washington. That game will give Tampa Bay its next opportunity to tighten its defensive play and improve its special teams.
Source: Original report