National Hockey League
BOXSCORE | RECAP
Tampa Bay 4, Toronto 2
When: 7:30 PM ET, Thursday, March 5, 2015
Where: Amalie Arena, Tampa, Florida
Referees: Justin St. Pierre, Dave Jackson
Linesmen: Matt MacPherson, Derek Nansen
Attendance: 19204

Lightning 4, Maple Leafs 2: Ryan Callahan recorded his third goal in four games as Tampa Bay held off Toronto for its 14th victory in the last 16 home contests.

Nikita Kucherov, Vladislav Namestnikov and Alex Killorn also scored while captain Steven Stamkos added a pair of assists for the Lightning, who notched their 40th win of the campaign. Ben Bishop turned aside 25 shots for his fifth victory in six decisions and 32nd on the season.

David Booth and Richard Panik tallied for the Maple Leafs, who lost for the 17th time in their last 18 road games (1-15-2). Jonathan Bernier, playing in his 100th game for Toronto, made 27 saves to lose for the first time in four decisions against Tampa Bay as the Maple Leafs completed a 1-3-0 road trip.

Ondrej Palat drew defenders to him on the left wing and found Kucherov alone in the slot, where he hammered a shot that beat Bernier high to the stick side 4:25 into the contest. Callahan made it 2-0 with 4:43 left in the first period as his shot from the top of the right faceoff circle deflected off Toronto defenseman Eric Brewer’s stick and over Bernier’s right shoulder.

Booth cut the deficit in half, converting a pass from Peter Holland on a 2-on-1 rush after a turnover 6:48 into the second session. Defenseman Andrej Sustr’s shot went in off Namestnikov’s skate at 6:31 of the third and Killorn worked his way in front to redirect Stamkos’ feed during a power play with 4:46 to go for a 4-1 lead.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Stamkos has collected 15 points in his last 14 games. … Tampa Bay RW J.T. Brown (upper body) was scratched and Namestnikov was recalled from the minors to take his spot in the lineup. … Brewer, who began the season with the Lightning, made his debut for the Maple Leafs after being acquired from Anaheim on Monday. ... The Lightning improved to 25-6-1 at home.
Top Game Performances
 
Toronto   Tampa Bay
David Booth 1 Points Steven Stamkos 2
David Booth 1 Goals Ryan Callahan 1
Peter Holland 1 Assists Steven Stamkos 2
N/A Power Play Goals Alex Killorn 1
N/A Short Handed Goals N/A
Jonathan Bernier .871 Save Percentage Ben Bishop .926
Jonathan Bernier 27 Saves Ben Bishop 25
Team Stats Summary
 
Team Shots Goals Power Play Penalty Kill Penalty Mins Face Offs Won
Toronto 27 2 0-3 2-3 13 37
Tampa Bay 31 4 1-3 3-3 13 29
Upcoming Games
  • Tampa Bay will play their next game at home against Dallas. The Lightning have a W/L % of .525 after a win and .731 after a loss.
  • Toronto will play their next game at home against St. Louis. The Maple Leafs have a W/L % of .481 after a win and .342 after a loss.