The Vancouver Canucks, fighting for their playoff lives, which are fading faster with each passing game, didn’t get the breaks against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Monday.
In the second period, the Lightning opened up a three-goal lead thanks to a pair of goals off Canucks’ defenseman Ryan Stanton. Worst part was the Lightning capitalized at one end, while the Canucks, just seconds earlier, were unable to finish on their chances.
Ondrej Palat gave Tampa Bay a two-goal lead, as his pass on a two-on-one rush was directed in off a sprawled Stanton. Just seconds earlier, at the other end, Canucks’ defenseman Kevin Bieksa couldn’t handle a Jordan Schroeder as he got in all alone on Lightning goalie Ben Bishop.
Here’s the second goal, credited Valtteri Filppula. His pass went off Stanton’s foot and past Canucks’ goalie Eddie Lack.
Common theme here, but this time it was Vancouver forward Zack Kassian denied on a point-blank scoring chance thanks to a brilliant save from Bishop.