The Tampa Bay Lightning took off for Raleigh late last night a discouraged, aggravated group. The return flight to Tampa tonight has the promise to have a lot more optimism and confidence on board. Those emotions from the results of a much needed 4-2 win over the Carolina Hurricanes after being mostly dominated on home ice the night before by the same team.
And the best part of tonight’s effort? It was the veterans that led the way.
For the first time in what seemed like forever, the Lightning did not get on the board first in this one, as Carolina would draw first blood when Eric Staal beat Lightning goaltender Mike Smith to give the Canes a 1-0 lead. For Staal, it was his 31st goal of the year. The Lightning responded quickly when, shorthanded, Vincent Lecavalier and Marty St. Louis would break out 2-1. Lecavalier slipped a pass to St. Louis, who beat Cam Ward to tie the game at one. For St. Louis, it was his 27th goal of the year.
This article appears in Mar 24-30, 2011.