Friday, 4 a.m.
Eventually, hot streaks cool. Eventually, the puck bounces wrong, and comebacks fall shot, and disappointment returns.
The Tampa Bay Lightning was re-introduced to disappointment Thursday night, losing a 5-4 game to the leaders of the NHL's Metropolitan Division at Carolina's Lenovo Center.
The Bolts lost for only the second time in regulation in their last 23 games. They fell behind 3-0 early and clawed back to tie. They fell behind 4-3 and tied it again.
Still, the Bolts weren't good enough to get over the hump. Backup goaltender Jonas Johannson gave up five goal on 32 shots. He surrendered three goals in the first 6:41 seconds.
Brandon Hagel and Nikita Kucherov scored quick goals to narrow the deficit to 3-2 by the end of the first period, and Dominic James tied the game.
After the Bolts fell behind 4-3, Brayden Point tied the game. It was his third goal in two nights.
The Bolts are home at Benchmark Interenational Arena against Buffalo on Saturday night at 7 p.m.