Advertisement

Lightning beat Canucks 4-2, but lose Hedman

 
Jason Garrison, left, chases down Vancouver’s Zack Kassian during the first period. (AP Photo/Canadian Press)
Jason Garrison, left, chases down Vancouver’s Zack Kassian during the first period. (AP Photo/Canadian Press)
Published Oct. 19, 2014

By JOE SMITH

Times Staff Writer

VANCOUVER - The Lightning was encouraged Saturday night to beat the Canucks 4-2 despite not playing its best game.

"It wasn't pretty at times, but we found a way," wing Ryan Callahan said. "It was a good road win."

But it's what Tampa Bay lost that might loom larger going forward, as defenseman Victor Hedman suffered an upper-body injury in the second period, forcing him to miss the rest of the game, and likely the rest of this five-game, 10-day road trip, coach Jon Cooper said.

Hedman, the team's top defenseman, is heading back to Tampa to get re-evaluated for what's believed to be a hand injury. Considering how well Hedman was playing, entering Saturday among the league leaders with seven points, it's a huge loss. But Cooper said he has "complete confidence" his team can shoulder the load, and with Radko Gudas (lower body) expected back soon, they won't need a call-up.

"We're hoping for the best," Cooper said. "It's unfortunate, clearly. We're going to test our depth. It just puts a little more pressure on our d-core as a whole. I just really feel for him. It's just too bad."

Said captain Steven Stamkos: "That's obviously a huge loss. He's playing so well this year. He's a horse for us."

Cooper noted the Lightning (3-1-1) played two-thirds of Saturday's game without Hedman, and held up well, despite an aggressive attack by the Canucks. Tampa Bay played a bit sloppy, and gave Vancouver six power plays (1-for-6), but goalie Ben Bishop was spectacular, making 30 saves.

"He was Bish," Callahan said. "You kind of expect that out of him."

The Lightning expect greatness out of captain Steven Stamkos, and that's what it got Saturday, as he racked up two goals in the first nine minutes, and set up Callahan for the go-ahead goal on the power play late in the second period.

"Shows why he's the best player in the world," Bishop said.

Stamkos scoring on a breakaway 53 seconds into the game, set up by Ondrej Palat, after the Canucks top line with the Sedin twins, Daniel and Henrik, controlled possession early on.

"Sometimes, you need a break, and we got one," Stamkos said. "And we capitalized on our chances tonight."

The Canucks would answer six minutes later with a goal by wing Chris Higgins, who took advantage of loose play in front of Tampa Bay's net on a 2-on-1, putting in his own rebound. But, just 1 minute, 11 seconds later, Stamkos scored his second of the game, and fifth of the season. Callahan sent him a pass from behind the net, and Stamkos backhanded it in.

"We had a good forecheck, and that's what they say when you're in minor hockey, 'Go to the net,'" Stamkos said. "That one was kind of fortunate to find me."

The Canucks controlled play for most of the second period, tying it up a couple minutes in. Stamkos lost the puck while trying to pass it back to the point, and Vancouver went the other way on an odd-man rush, with Alexander Edler beating Bishop with a wrist shot.

The Lightning caught a break late in the period, with the Canucks taking two penalties in a 16-second span, resulting in over a minute of 5-on-3 power play time for Tampa Bay.

The opportunity was nearly squandered after Stamkos broke his stick on a shot attempt late in the 5-on-4. But after going to the bench and getting a new stick, Stamkos took the puck and made a great cross-zone pass to Callahan, who ripped a one-timer from the right circle past goalie Eddie Lack.

Stay updated on Tampa Bay’s sports scene

Stay updated on Tampa Bay’s sports scene

Subscribe to our free Sports Today newsletter

We’ll send you news and analysis on the Bucs, Lightning, Rays and Florida’s college football teams every day.

You’re all signed up!

Want more of our free, weekly newsletters in your inbox? Let’s get started.

Explore all your options

"I think Brian Boyle gets an assist on that for giving me the stick from the bench," Stamkos said. "Cally found a good spot. That was a big goal for us to score on that."

Callahan said that goal settled the team down, and set the tone for the third period, with Alex Killorn scoring a much-needed insurance goal three minutes in. The Canucks threatened, hitting two posts, and putting together a flurry of chances late after pulling Lack. But Tampa Bay, despite Killorn, Tyler Johnson and J.T. Brown each missing an empty net, pulled it out.

"It's tough to win in this league, especially on the road, we know it wasn't pretty tonight, but we got the job done," Stamkos said. "At the end, it's two points. We'll have to correct some things, but not much complaining from us tonight."

Other than losing Hedman.

Contact Joe Smith at joesmith@tampabay.com. Follow @TBTimes__JSmith.