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Finally, A Shootout Victory

The Associated Press

Tampa Bay Lightnings' Evgeny Arlyukin, left, fights Florida Panthers' Nick Tarnasky, right, during the first period.

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By ERIK ERLENDSSON

eerlendsson@tampatrib.com

Published: December 27, 2008

Updated: 12/27/2008 12:22 am

SUNRISE - The final minute of Friday night's game might have left a bit of a sour taste in the Lightning's mouth. But at least they didn't have to swallow a bitter pill.

Tampa Bay avoided a total third-period collapse by earning a 4-3 shootout victory against Florida in the front of a home-and-home series that concludes tonight in Tampa.

After giving up a two-goal lead Tampa Bay had at the start of the third period, and allowing the tying goal with 13.9 seconds left, the Lightning converted three of its four shootout chances to earn their consecutive victories for the first time since winning three straight from Oct. 28 to Nov. 1.

The Lightning improved to 2-6 in shootouts and 3-9 in overtime.

"We've been talking about building on things after having one of our best 60-minute efforts in Pittsburgh on Tuesday," said defenseman Steve Eminger, who had a goal and two assists and has six points in the past two games against Florida. "I felt we played a pretty good game, we let the one in late like that, but it's going to happen sometimes. But to build on the previous win, we have to find some way to win and if it means in a shootout, then it's going to be a shootout."

Lightning interim coach Rick Tocchet switched up the shootout rotation, sending out Adam Hall first, Evgeny Artyukhin second and Jussi Jokinen third. Hall, who won a team shootout competition earlier in the week, and Jokinen converted to tie the shootout, allowing Ryan Malone to score the clincher.

"It's funny because assistant coach Wes Walz told me I wouldn't have the guts to put Adam in first on the shootout, and I told him, 'Watch,'" Tocchet said. "I knew Adam was going first and Arty deserved to go because he had a helluva game and Jussi had been practicing breakaways and he was on fire, and I just had a feeling with Malone."

Second-period goals by Mark Recchi and Artyukhin 1:34 apart - Artyukhin's coming with 1:33 left to play - built the Lightning a 3-1 lead heading into the third period. But Tampa Bay failed to convert on a pair of power-play opportunities in the third period and wound up getting into penalty trouble themselves.

The penalty kill was holding ground, including holding the Panthers to one shot on goal during a 3:29 of power-play span - including 31 seconds of a 5-on-3 - until Cory Stillman found a loose puck at the side of the net with 6:23 left.

Bryan McCabe sent the game to overtime after Paul Ranger had a poor clear attempt up the middle of the ice and put the puck right on McCabe's stick to tie it with 13.9 seconds left. It was McCabe's fourth goal this season against Tampa Bay.

The play ended a rough third period for Ranger, who took a pair of penalties - one leading to the 31-second five-on-three power play for the Panthers and another with 2:48 left in the game.

"Letting a two-goal lead slip away in the third period is not ideal and you are looking for a little bit of leadership there," Tocchet said.

"But we grinded it out and we won."

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