Hedman’s OT Game-Winner Vaults Lightning Closer To Playoffs

Victor Hedman scored the game-winning goal at the 4:05 mark of overtime as the Tampa Bay Lightning defeated the Ottawa Senators 2-1. The win, combined with Toronto’s loss to Florida and the Islanders OT win over the Hurricanes, draws the Bolts even with the Islanders for the second wild card position.*

Brayden Point also scored and Andrei Vasilevskiy once again was outstanding in net making 31 saves.

Vasilevskiy is 6-0-1 over his last seven starts since taking over as the team’s No. 1 goaltender following a trade that sent Ben Bishop to Los Angeles on February 26. He has recorded 30-plus saves in five of his last six starts and has allowed two or fewer goals in ten of his last 14 starts.

With the win the Lightning improve to 33-26-9 (77-points) and have now recorded a point in nine of their last ten road games (6-1-3). They have given up two goals or less in eight of their last ten road games and 11 of their last 13. They have picked up picked up points in eight of their last nine games (7-1-1) and 15 of their last 17 games (12-2-3). They also extend their streak of winning the second half of back-to-back games to four in a row.

Jon Cooper’s Quote To Note:

“To be perfectly honeset, we haven’t been looking ahead. It’s been ‘who are we playing tonight.’ Now we can sit here and say obviously that Toronto’s a big game for us. Last night was the Rangers, tonight it was Ottawa. Those boys, man are they battling hard. It’s been a lot of fun to be behind the bench with these guys.”

Lightning’s Playoff Odds:

According the the web-site sportsclubstats.com the Lightning entered Tuesday night’s action with a 29.9-percent chance of making the playoffs. Tuesday’s action improved their odds by 9.5-percent and now stand at 39.4-percent.

*The Lightning are currently in a virtual tie for the second wild card with the New York Islanders who have two more regulation and overtime wins (32) than the Lightning (30).

Tampa Bay Lightning OT 3-2 Win Over Senators (+7.8-percent).

Florida Panthers 7-2 Win Over Toronto Maple Leafs (+3.7-percent)

New York Islanders 3-2 OT Win Over Carolina Hurricanes (-2.1-percent)

Chicago Blackhawks 4-2 Win Over Montreal Canadiens (+0.1-percent)

Upcoming Games Of Note:

The Lightning are idle on Wednesday evening as are the Toronto Maple Leafs. The two teams will face off on Thursday at Amalie Arena for the first of two remaining head-to-head matchups.

Key game to watch on Wednesday night is the Boston Bruins at the Calgary Flames. The Lightning trail the Bruins, who hold the third position in the Atlantic Division, by just three points.

Lightning Notes:

Brayden Point scored the games first goal. It was his third goal in his last two games and his ninth goal (12-points) over his last 19 games.

Jake Dotchin picked up his sixth assist of the season on Point’s goal. All his points this season are assists.

The Lightning had to kill off a penalty during the final two minutes to pick up a point and force overtime. With their two penalty kills tonight, the Bolts extend their streak to five straigth games without allowing a power-play goal.

Victor Hedman’s goal with his 14th on the year. He has recorded points in 11 of his last 14 games (7-goal, 10-assists).