Tampa Bay Lightning: Recent Success Shows The Bolts Are Back

Fast Starts

Next up, how about those fast starts? In my last post, the Lightning had scored first in nine of their 12 home games and seven times in 15 away games, giving them a total of 16 of the first goals in 27 games. Over the last seven games, they’ve scored first in two of three home games and two of four away games (four of seven total).

But that’s not always the signs of a fast start. These stats, however, are. The Tampa Bay Lightning outscored teams 33 to 19 in the first period in the 24 games I previously looked at, while only outscoring opponents 67 to 64 in the second and third periods, combined. It was very clear then that they would dominate in the first 20 minutes and lose their steam in the next 40.

Over the last seven games, they’ve outscored teams 8 to 4 in the first, 12 to 9 in the second, and 9 to 2 in the third. Those last two periods, especially that third period, prove that they’ve learned to not only sustain their leads but to expand them and dominate. What’s even more daunting are these stats that I’m about to bring up.

In my first piece, the Lightning outscored opponents 2-0 when losing after the first, tied 13-13 when the game is tied after the first, and outscored 15-17 when entering the second period with a lead. As for the third, they outscored opponents 23-15 when entering with a lead, outscored 7-8 when entering the period tied, and outscored 7-11 when entering the period losing.

That shows a lack of desire to push for a lead when they don’t have one, and it needed to end. Over the last seven games, it has. When entering the second period with a lead, they’ve outscored opponents 3-1. When entering the second period tied, they were outscored 3-4. Finally, when entering the period while down, they’ve outscored opponents 6-4. But again, it was the third period that they improved the most in.

When entering the final period of play with a lead, they’ve tied opponents 2-2, taking a more conservative approach. When entering while tied, the Lightning have outscored opponents 1-0, as it has only happened once.

Finally, when entering the third while losing, they’ve outscored opponents 6-0, going all out and dominating, in order to make a statement. Their third-period play, conservative second-period approach, and their ever-so-steady first-period play throughout the season has more than helped on their way to a seven-game winning streak.