In Tampa, the visiting Carolina Hurricanes scored three first period goals and then needed James Reimer r to hold the fort for a 3-2 win over the Lightning.
Reimer made 36 saves and held the Lightning back after they had rallied for two goals in the first half of the third period.
“I think it’s super important to get rewarded for a good period,” Hurricanes coach Rod Brind’Amour said. “Everyone contributed in different ways. We had a lot of shot blocks, a lot of guys just doing whatever they had to do to get the win. Obviously the goalie made the difference here tonight but everyone contributed.”
Brayden Point and Tyler Johnson struck for the Bolts in the brief rally.
Tampa dropped to 12-9-3 with the loss.
“There are a lot of details we can be better at and we need to be better at,” Lightning forward Yanni Gourde said. “It is frustrating? Yes, but these are things that we can fix. We have to keep battling hard.”
Sebastian Aho and Jaccob Slavin had a goal and two points each in the victory.
“We talked about getting more shots through from the point…redirection, I’ll take it,” Slavin said. “It was a really good first period for us and obviously it paid off in the end there when you kind of hung on there in the third period.”
Jordan Martinook also had a first period strike for the Canes.
“We’re just working hard as a team and you deserve wins like this when you battle as hard as we did,” Reimer said. “Everyone sacrificed. When that happens, you’re going to be right side more nights than not.”
[WATCH: All Hurricanes vs. Lightning highlights]
Curtis McElhinney made 21 saves in the loss.
“We’re going to find a way to win some hockey games and this is the group that’s going to it,” Yanni Gourde said after a third straight loss.
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