For the second straight game on this west coast trip, the Tampa Bay Lightning could not finish off a game tied in the third period, as Logan Couture's 15th goal of the year broke a 1-1 tie, giving the San Jose Sharks a 2-1 win over the Lightning at SAP Center Thursday.
After a scoreless first period that was controlled largely by the Lightning, it was the Sharks who struck first on the scoreboard in the second period, as Ryan Carpenter's blast from the right point hit off Nikita Nesterov and ended up past Andrei Vasilevskiy for his second goal of the season.
Tampa Bay used the deficit as motivation, and as Brenden Dillon took a holding penalty on Tyler Johnson, Jonathan Drouin wasted little time to beat Aaron Dell for his 14th goal of the year.
The two teams went in to the third tied 1-1, but San Jose needed just 22 seconds in the final period to break the stalemate, as Couture's wrister beat Vasilevskiy for his 15th goal of the year.
Tampa Bay had a number of chances late, including Alex Killorn's opportunity with under ten seconds to play and Vasilevskiy pulled for an extra attacker, but his shot went wide of the net and ther Sharks were able to hold on for the regulation victory.
The loss puts the Bolts at 1-1-1 for this six-game stretch away from Amalie Arena and keep them three points out of the final playoff spot
The Lightning's road trip continues Saturday night in Glendale with a matchup against the Arizona Coyotes. Faceoff is set for 8:00 and can be heard on 970 WFLA.
NOTES: Tampa Bay played for the third straight game without defenseman Victor Hedman (illness). With his goal Thursday, Drouin has 23 points in 22 games since December 1, including 11 goals.
SCORING SUMMARY
1st Period
NONE
2nd Period
- SJS: GOAL - Ryan Carpenter (2). ASSISTS - Martin, Burns. TIME - 5:01
- TBL: GOAL (PP) - Jonathan Drouin (14). ASSISTS - Boyle, Kucherov. TIME - 6:51
3rd Period
- SJS: GOAL - Logan Couture (15). ASSISTS - Labanc, Donskoi. TIME - 0:22