Wednesday, 4 a.m.
When things are at its worst, he is often at his best.
Who else, then, would you expect to end the Tampa Bay Lightning’s losing streak.
Brayden Point scored his 24th goal with 52 seconds left to play to lift the Lightning to a 3-2 victory over the Carolina Hurricanes, It was the 10th goal Point has scored this season in the third period and overtime. He is tied for second in the NHL with 24 goals.
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“Some guys are gifted,” said Lightning coach Jon Coper. “He just has a gift. He doesn’t shoot it the hardest, but he knows where to put it. He knows where to put it. Especially in situations where it’s instinctual. He has to think quick. He knows what he’s doing there. It’s really good he’s on our side.”
The Bolts led 1-0 and 2-1 before scoring in the final minute. The win came after a four-game losing streak, including a winless trip to California when the team scored just three goals in three games.
“It’s been tough sledding here the last five games,” Cooper said. “Scoring hasn’t come as easily as it has in the past for us. We gave up two to San Jose, two to Los Angeles, three to Anaheim — I’m not counting the empty-netter — and two again tonight. Those are numbers that say you could be 4-1 instead of 1-4. You keep playing like that and it’s going to turn for you.”
The Lightning also got goals from Brandon Hagel (his 18th) and Nick Paul (his 10th).
Andrei Vasilevskiy stopped 30 of 32 shots by Carolina. Hurricanes’ goalie Pyotr Kocherkov stopped 31 of 34.
The Bolts are home Tuesday against Boston at 7 p.m.