In Tampa, the New York Rangers still did not play a full 60-minute game, or even a 65-minute affair on Friday night. For once, it did not cost them as they defeated the Lightning, 4-3, on Mika Zibanejad’s goal in the skills competition.
Former Lightning, Barclay Goodrow hit for a pair of goals for the Rangers.
“I had a tough time napping today, I was pretty excited,” Goodrow said. “But when the puck drops you are able to put all the other things aside and just focus on the game. I think you could see by my reactions after the goals I was pretty excited. It was a great game and I’m happy for the effort the guys put out tonight.”
Igor Shesterkin made 25 saves in the New York win.
“It was a big win, obviously,” New York head coach Gerard Gallant said. “We had the lead and then they scored late in the hockey game, so that was tough to give up. But to win it in a shootout was good.”
The Rangers improved to 20-8-4.
“It’s bittersweet, I’ll be honest, all these players … when you win a Cup … have a special place in your heart,” Lightning head coach Jon Cooper said. “But ‘Goody’ especially. He came here without a lot of fanfare and I think the trade (with the San Jose Sharks prior to the 2020 NHL Trade Deadline) was criticized by many people, and all he did was come in here and help lead us to two Stanley Cups. There’s not too many players I’ve coached, not just in the NHL, in my career, that have the heart and gamesmanship that kid has.”
Steve Stamkos gave the Lightning a 1-0 lead in the first period off a shot from the left circle, on the power play.
Alexi Lafreniere knotted the game at 1-1 off an errant clearing pass with a strike into a vacated net.
The Lightning dropped to 21-7-5.
“You challenge your team and then you see what they have,” Cooper said. “Tonight wasn’t about wins and losses. It was about attitude, it was about compete level and I thought it was all there.”
Ross Colton had a goal for the Bolts.
Goodrow scored once off a shorthanded goal and once off a tipped shot from the point.
Corey Perry forced the extra session and penalties with a goal just past the 19 minute mark of the third frame.
Brian Elliott made 20 saves in the Tampa loss, and made two miscues that lead to Rangers goals.
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