Tuesday, 4 a.m.
You can’t count on it as often as you once did. It is not as widespread, and it doesn’t seem to last as long. It no longer arrives in relentless waves.
But there are nights when the Tampa Bay Lightning reminds the world that is still a special bunch capable of amazing things.
Take Monday night, when the Lightning came back twice to beat a powerful Boston team 5-4 in overtime. It was the Bolts’ first overtime victory of the year after four losses in which the Lightning never got off a shot.
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This time, they got off one shot, a breakaway by Brandon Hagel for the winner 1:19 into the extra period.
Ah but if you want to ponder greatness, consider the final seconds of regulation.
Steven Stamkos scored the tying goal with 4.8 seconds to play. But that was possible only after Nikita Kucherov snaked a pass through the Bruins’ defense to set up Stamkos’ goal. But that was possible only because Victor Hedman managed to keep the puck in the offensive zone. At the time, the Bolts’ net was empty, meaning a layup goal for the Bruins if it got past Hedman.
When the Bolts are right, these are the small things that keep them afloat. It’s been more evident lately. The Bolts have won three straight games with third-period comebacks.
“You want to have the ability to come from behind,' Lightning coach Jon Cooper said. “You don’t want to make it a practice of falling behind all he time.”
The Bolts launched 46 shots in the win, the most the Bruins have faced this season. Tanner Jeannot, Nick Paul and Austin Watson also scored for the Bolts. For Watson it was his first goal as a member of the Lighting.
Tampa Bay is home on Wednesday night at 7 p.m. against Winnipeg.
