Oct 24, 2014; Winnipeg, Manitoba, CAN; Tampa Bay Lightning forward Steven Stamkos (91) celebrates his goal during the first period with forward Jonathan Drouin (27) against the Winnipeg Jets at MTS Centre. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Fedyck-USA TODAY Sports
Jonathan Drouin scored his first career NHL goal and Nikita Kucherov had three assists as the Tampa Bay Lightning picked up a 4-2 road win against the Winnipeg Jets.
Drouin’s goal came in the second period and proved to be the game-winner as it gave the Bolts (5-2-1) a 2-0 lead.
Kucherov fed Drouin the puck from behind the net and the rookie’s one-timer found its way past Ondrej Pavelec at 4:45.
After Bryan Little cut the lead to 2-1 47 seconds later with Winnipeg’s (2-5-0) first power play goal of the season, Vladislav Namestnikov restored the Lightning’s two-goal lead as he tipped in Ondrej Palat’s slap shot with the man advantage.
The Bolts had a 4-1 lead heading into the second intermission as Palat scored on an odd man rush after taking a nice pass feed by Tyler Johnson at 18:02.
Blake Wheeler scored 10:19 into the third period to cut the lead to 4-2. The Lightning had taken a 1-0 lead in the first period thanks to Steven Stamkos as he finished off a Drouin feed that slid through the crease.
Ben Bishop was outstanding in goal as he made 40 saves while Pavelec made 14 saves before being pulled to start the third. He was replaced by Michael Hutchinson who stopped all nine shots he faced.
The game was filled with penalties as the teams combined for 28 penalty minutes. Tampa Bay went 1-for-4 with the man advantage while Winnipeg converted just one of their five opportunities.
The Bolts are in action again Saturday night as they finish off their five-game road trip with a visit to Minnesota to take on the Wild.