TAMPA, Fla – After several off season changes including a new general manager, and head coach it was the familiar faces that sparked the Lightning to victory.
Steve Downie opened the scoring at 5:23 of the first period as Tampa dominated the Atlanta Thrashers in the first 10 minutes.
“It was a good way to start the season, but not an impressive middle of the game,” Steven Stamkos said.
Down 2-0 after the first 10 minutes the Thrashers played the Lightning evenly for the rest of the period.
But a tripping penalty to Tobias Enstrom at 1:21 of the second period reignited the Lighting attack and Captain Vincent Lecavalier’s power play goal at 2:20, followed by Stamkos’ first goal three minutes later had Tampa on the verge of a blowout.
A flurry of penalties opened the door for a Thrasher comeback. The Lighting, the most penalized team in the NHL last season were whistled for six penalties in the second period.
“We have to manage the game better, we have to take care of our sticks,” Head Coach Guy Boucher said.
The Tampa penalty killing unit was able to hold Atlanta off the scoreboard over the first three second period power plays. But a two-man Atlanta advantage for 1:48 late in the period opened the door for the Thrashers.
Enstrom converted the advantage for the first Atlanta goal and a late goal by Ben Egan had Atlanta back in the game after two periods.
It was the Thrashers who dominated the early going in the third period and a goal by Chris Thorburn at 7:41 brought Atlanta to within one goal.
Showing he has not lost his scoring touch from last year, Stamkos changed direction of the game and a Randy Jones shot past goalie Chris Mason at 10:59 to put an end to the Atlanta comeback bid.
“He pays the price, he gets down in front and that is why is able to score 51 goals. He is not afraid to get in there, and good things happen when you do that,” Boucher said. “It feels good to get the first win.”
Boucher also talked about the impact Steve Downie had on the game.
“He was my first star. He is an emotional player and tonight he was able to manage his emotions,” Boucher said of his star Saturday night.
Downie added an assist and helped fuel Tampa’s domination of the early part of the game.
For all of the new faces in Tampa, this night belonged to the old guard.
“They are comfortable in this building, the know the atmosphere here and they came up big tonight,” Boucher said.
Contact Joe.Malta@prohockeynews.com
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