Game 24: Tampa Bay at Philadelphia

The Tampa Bay Lightning lost in OT (and not a shootout) in Philadelphia 4-3.

Tampa Bay was very lucky most of this game. The second and third goals were total luck goals. And the opportunity for the penalty shot in a tie game with 16 seconds left was also very lucky. I don't blame Malone for not getting a goal out of it, since getting one of those to go in is pretty much a 50-50 deal. I'm just glad he got the chance to begin with. They weren't quite lucky enough since they lost, obviously.

However, a lot of good things happened in this game. For the first time all season, they were steady and in control on the ice - particularly for the last two periods. Everybody was. The only one who's been consistent about that has been Smith, which is why he's performed so well. So far, games have swung between the extremes of frantic to disinterested. This is how they've needed to play to get some wins.

The stats prove it. They outshot the Flyers and managed to keep shots down on their own goaltender - which I'm sure Smith appreciates. Converting on two power plays was definitely a good thing. Penalties were a little out of control again, but then, so were Philly's. So I chalk that up to the officiating more than anything else.

There were some weird things that happened in this game, tho. Hartnell throwing his glove? I realize that he didn't have a stick, but seriously. Actually throwing your glove? What the heck was he thinking?

And then the penalty against Malone at the end? That was a little questionable, if you ask me. Yeah, he hit Biron - with help, but he didn't have a lot of time to react or get out of the way. Technically, maybe it was legit. Maybe.

Unfortunately, Lecavalier's point streak was snapped. I was hoping he'd be able to eke that out for a little longer. Still, it was a good run - 7 games, 5 goals, and 5 assists. That's not too shabby, you know?

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