UPDATE: The Tampa Bay Lightning showcased their elite performance by defeating the Winnipeg Jets 4-1 in their final game before a historic outdoor match at Raymond James Stadium, scheduled for Sunday, January 15, 2023. This win marks the Lightning’s 16th victory in 18 games, solidifying their position as a formidable force in the NHL.
The Lightning’s focus was evident as they maintained dominance throughout the match, limiting the Jets to just four shots on goal in the third period. Coach Jon Cooper emphasized the importance of this defensive effort, noting, “Every TV timeout, I kept looking at the shots and Winnipeg stayed the same for like three TV timeouts.” This strategy allowed Tampa Bay to secure the win with a commanding performance.
Lightning forward Yanni Gourde played a pivotal role, contributing to the team’s success by scoring a crucial goal and assisting on another. His line, featuring Zemgus Girgensons and Pontus Holmberg, effectively neutralized Winnipeg’s leading scorer, Mark Scheifele, who was unable to register a single shot on goal throughout the game. “When we have those O-zone grind shifts, it takes away their offense and it tires them out,” Gourde explained.
In a thrilling atmosphere at Benchmark International Arena, the Lightning fans were on their feet as Darren Raddysh scored his 15th goal of the season and assisted on another, solidifying his spot among the top defensemen in the league. Raddysh’s impressive stats include 44 points and a plus-22 rating over his last 35 games.
Despite a scare when leading scorer Nikita Kucherov exited the game following a collision, he returned in the second period to extend the Lightning’s lead, proving his resilience and importance to the team. Kucherov’s performance was instrumental as he scored his 27th goal of the season in the closing moments of the game.
The anticipation for the upcoming outdoor game is palpable, as final preparations take place at Raymond James Stadium. Recent forecasts predict temperatures potentially dropping to 40 degrees Fahrenheit, creating a unique atmosphere for the event. “Gary Bettman, he’s one hell of a commissioner,” Cooper remarked, acknowledging the unusual weather conditions.
The Lightning’s strong performance culminated with goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy making 22 saves and extending his unbeaten streak to 13-0-1 in his last 14 games. His incredible save percentage of .956 and goals-against average of 1.00 over the past seven games highlight his critical role in the team’s success.
As the Lightning prepare for the Stadium Series matchup against the Boston Bruins, fans are eager to witness this once-in-a-lifetime event. The puck drops at 6:30 PM on Sunday, and the game will be broadcast on ESPN and tblightning.tv.
Stay tuned for more updates as the Lightning make history in their outdoor game debut!
