In Los Angeles Monday, Tampa Bay’s Ben Bishop made 31 saves as the Lightening edged the Kings, 2-1, in regulation.
The Bolts improved to 21-20-4 following a four-game slide and now a three-game win
Center Brian Boyle scored game-winner in LA – file photo by Lewis Bleiman
streak.
“Since the four-game losing streak we’ve strung together three straight,” Tampa head coach Jon Cooper said. “We were very fortunate tonight to get the two points, but the guys are battling hard.”
Kyle Clifford scored the only Kings goal in the loss as LA fell to 22-18-4 on the season.
The Tampa game plan kept the Kings bottled up in both ends of the ice and gave them little room to skate or make passes.
“Their defense comes around the boards a lot and keeps a lot of pucks in. They created a lot of turnovers that way,” Kings forward Trevor Lewis said. “I don’t think we were quick enough there especially in the beginning. Budaj held us in there and Clifford got us going a little bit, but it was a slow start.”
Peter Budaj made 27 saves for the loss.
“I think we have to do better being connected as five guys. Tightening up the defensive zone would allow us to get in the offensive zone more,” the Kings’ Kyle Clifford said.
WATCH: All Lightning vs. Kings highlights
Brian Boyle scored the game-winner for Tampa late in the second period.
Tyler Johnson also scored for the Lightning.
Illness has been seen across the NHL this month and Anze Kopitar was ruled out for illness ahead of the start.
“As a team everyone has to step up,” the Kings’ Trevor Lewis said. “You lose your top guy like that everyone’s going to have to help out. Unfortunately, we were missing a little bit of that today.”
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