The Lightnings road struggles in the 2011-12 campaign were a big reason they took a huge step back from their Eastern Conference finals season. After losing their first road game of the season, the Bolts were staring straight into another bad road start, against a rested Hurricanes team. The Lightning battle tough however, thanks to a fast start, for a 4-1 win.
A big reason for the win was the fast start. Their was a good chance the Lightning would be lagging and tired by the last 10 minutes of the game, so being ahead was crucial. Just 5:18 into the game, the Captain Lecavalier made a beautiful feed to Tom Pyatt who tipped it in for the 1-0 lead. Then a few minutes later, Lecavalier got the puck in front of the net, where Cory Conacher made a great heads up play crashing the net allowing for a point blank shot and a 2-0 lead. The Canes got back in it early in the second to draw within one, and the Lightning were starting to show the lag, and were on their heels for the remainder of the period but did not squander the lead. Less than two minutes into the third Keith Aulie gave the bolts a two goal lead back, and then the dagger was delivered midway through the period on the power play from Ryan Malone.
The Lightning were outhsot badly for the second straight game, 36-26. Matheiu Garon, in his first start in ten months, showed absolutely no rust in what was the Lightning best goaltended game so far this season. With 35 saves, Garon earned a .972 save percentage and the second star of the game.
Lecavalier earned the first star, and deservedly so. He was largely responsible for both of the Lightings first period goals. Lecavalier, who for about 12 years has been a guy who seems to alternate between a great year and an off year, appears set to have one his on years, with a goal and three assists in the first three games.
Cory Conacher has got off to a sensational start to his Lightning career. Another goal tonight has him with two goals and three assists. Its early, but right now hes a favorite for rookie of the year.
Lightning goalies have a .900 save percentage or better in all three games this season, a good sign.
the Power play stands at an impressive 25% through three games.
3 stars standings
Cory Conacher: 2 points
Mathieu Garon: 2 points
Vincent Lecavalier: 5 points
Martin St Louis: 4 points
Southeast Standings
1. Tampa Bay Lightning: 4 points
2. Winnipeg Jets: 3 points
3. Florida Panthers: 2 points
4. Washington Capitals: 0 points
5. Carolina Hurricanes: 0 points
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