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Lightning tops Kings in shootout (w/ video)

 
Tyler Johnson celebrates after beating Kings goalie Jonathan Quick in the third period to give the Lightning a 1-0 lead.
Tyler Johnson celebrates after beating Kings goalie Jonathan Quick in the third period to give the Lightning a 1-0 lead.
Published Nov. 26, 2015

TAMPA — You figured Wednesday's game would be tight and low scoring.

The Lightning won plenty of those en route to the Stanley Cup final over the summer. And lately, offensively-challenged Tampa Bay had no choice. After two periods without a goal, coach Jon Cooper said the message was simple:

"This is a playoff game," he said.

But the way goalie Ben Bishop played, it sure looked like it, the Lightning finally prevailing in a shootout, a 2-1 win over the Kings in front of 19,092 at Amalie Arena.

It was the third straight win for the Lightning (11-9-3), with Bishop giving up two combined goals in that stretch, including 37 saves Wednesday.

"Bish has been bailing us out when we've needed him," Cooper said. "He made some big-time saves."

Bishop made sure the Lightning didn't lose in overtime, his savvy poke check thwarting a breakaway by Kings star Anze Kopitar.

"Just got a piece of it," Bishop said.

With the Lightning's shootout struggles — 0-for-6 in two losses this season — Cooper sent out a wild card for the first attempt, Jonathan Marchessault. Marchessault, who has been impressive in his most recent callup, confidently beat Jonathan Quick with a wrist shot glove side. Marchessault figured Quick didn't know much about him, and used a move he's tried successfully in the AHL.

"I've got to score," Marchessault said.

After a couple of shootout saves by Bishop, Valtteri Filppula sealed it with his goal, his second game winner in the past three games.

Despite being outshot 26-17 in the second and third period by a Kings team on the fifth and final game of a 10-day trip, Tampa Bay found a way.

"That wasn't our best game, but that's what good teams do," Bishop said. "They find a way to win when they don't play their best."

The Lightning appeared headed for a win in regulation, but gave up the tying goal with just over five minutes left in the third, a Milan Lucic wrist shot from the left circle trickling through a screened Bishop.

"Pretty lucky shot, to be honest," Cooper said.

Tyler Johnson, in his much-anticipated return from an upper-body injury, had given Tampa Bay a 1-0 lead six minutes into the third, showing glimpses of reverting to his All-Star form from a year ago.

On the goal, Johnson made a shot fake in the left circle, confidently skating around defenseman Alec Martinez and ripped a wrist shot from the slot past Quick.

But, much like Tampa Bay's galvanizing 2-1 win over the Rangers on Thursday, it didn't let a potentially deflating tying goal late in the game get to it. Cooper said the key was the Lightning playing with the lead, giving it some margin for error.

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"Fortunately we're at least getting two (goals)," Cooper said. "Seems like not too long ago we weren't getting any."

Lightning 0 0 1 0 2
Kings 0 0 1 0 1
Lightning wins shootout 2-1
Lightning 0 0 1 0 2
Kings 0 0 1 0 1
Lightning wins shootout 2-1

First PeriodNone. PenaltiesMuzzin, LA (delay of game), 4:47; Gaborik, LA (tripping), 12:26.

Second PeriodNone. PenaltiesMcNabb, LA (delay of game), 6:05.

Third Period1, Tampa Bay, Johnson 4 (Marchessault), 5:57. 2, Los Angeles, Lucic 7 (Toffoli, Carter), 14:37. PenaltiesNone.

OvertimeNone. PenaltiesNone.

ShootoutLos Angeles 1 (Carter NG, Kopitar G, Toffoli NG), Tampa Bay 2 (Marchessault G, Kucherov NG, Filppula G). Shots on GoalLos Angeles 8-13-13-4—38. Tampa Bay 11-8-9-2—30. Power-play opportunitiesLos Angeles 0 of 0; Tampa Bay 0 of 3. GoaliesLos Angeles, Quick 10-7-1 (30 shots-29 saves). Tampa Bay, Bishop 9-7-2 (38-37). A19,092 (19,204). T2:46. Referees—Rob Martell, Mike Leggo. LinesmenDarren Gibbs, Derek Nansen.



DIRK SHADD | Times

Lightning coach Jon Cooper watches as Tampa Bay beats the Kings 2-1 in a shootout at Amalie Arena Wednesday. Ben Bishop makes 37 saves for the Lightning through overtime before Valtteri Filppula scores the winner in the shootout, his second winner of the season.