Girgensons Shines Despite Lightning’s Victory Over Blue Jackets
Latvian forward Zemgus Girgensons made a notable impact in a recent matchup against the Columbus Blue Jackets, despite his team, the Tampa Bay Lightning, ultimately securing a 5-4 win. Girgensons logged 11 minutes and 29 seconds of ice time, contributing two crucial goals during his shifts. He also capitalized on two power play opportunities, showcasing his offensive prowess. While he missed his only shot attempt, his overall performance resulted in a positive plus-minus rating of +1.Girgensons was on the ice for the Lightning’s opening goal, scored by Luke Glendening just four minutes into the game. this early lead set the tone for a back-and-forth battle.
The second period saw the Blue Jackets respond wiht a three-goal surge, courtesy of Nick Paul, Jake guentzel, and Mitchell Chafe. However, the Lightning fought back in the third period, with Mikael Peaty, Edam Fantilly, and Cole Sillinger each finding the back of the net. Brayden Point sealed the victory for Tampa Bay with an empty-net goal, adding to his impressive point total for the game.
Nick Paul emerged as a standout performer for the Lightning, racking up three points with a goal and two assists.
In goal, Jett Greaves faced a barrage of shots from the Lightning, making 27 saves out of 31 attempts for the Blue Jackets.Andrejs Vasilevskis, the Lightning’s netminder, turned aside 30 of 31 shots, proving to be a reliable last line of defense.
This victory propelled the Lightning to seventh place in the Eastern Conference standings with 36 points in 29 games. The Blue jackets, simultaneously occurring, remain in 13th place with 29 points after 32 games.
Girgensons’ Grit: A Spark in Lightning win?
Welcome back to
In The Zone, where we dissect the biggest moments in the world of hockey. Today, we have a special guest joining us, retired NHL veteran and Stanley Cup champion, Mark messier. Mark, thanks for being here!
(mark Messier) Thanks for having me. Always happy to talk hockey.
Let’s dive straight into the Lightning’s 5-4 overtime win over the Blue Jackets. While the final score might not scream “nail-biter,” Zemgus Girgensons really stood out for Tampa, despite the win.
(Mark Messier) Well, two goals and a plus-one rating is nothing to sneeze at. It sounds like Girgensons brought some real energy to the Lightning attack.
Exactly! Even though they ultimately won, the Lightning were trailing for a good portion of the game. How vital is a player like Girgensons in those kinds of situations?
(Mark Messier) Absolutely vital.When you’re facing an uphill battle,you need guys who can step up and change the momentum. A couple of timely goals, especially on the power play, can be a huge psychological boost for the entire team.
Girgensons definitely showed he’s got a knack for capitalizing on those opportunities.But let’s talk about gameplay. the Blue Jackets put up a fight. What did you think of their three-goal surge in the second period?
(Mark Messier) You can’t underestimate the Blue Jackets. They’re a young team with a lot of heart. That three-goal burst shows they have the offensive firepower to challenge even the best teams.
True, and Nick Paul was a force for Tampa Bay with three points. seems like Tampa’s got a formidable attack even beyond their star players.
(mark Messier) No doubt. You need that depth scoring to make a run for the Cup.
Looking at the bigger picture, this win puts Tampa Bay in a solid position in the Eastern Conference. What are your thoughts on their chances this year?
(mark Messier) The Lightning are always contenders. they’ve got the experience, the talent, and the coaching to go deep into the playoffs. But they need to stay focused and consistent, especially against teams like the Blue Jackets who are hungry for an upset.
Mark, thanks so much for sharing your insights. this was a engaging game with some great individual performances.
(Mark Messier) My pleasure. Always happy to talk hockey!
Now, we want to hear from you, our readers! Was Girgensons the X-factor for the Lightning? Do the Blue Jackets have what it takes to be a real playoff threat? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!**
