Tonight’s game against the Dallas Stars revealed a Lightning team that is close, but just a step behind the elite teams in the league this season. With the game tied in the third period, it was the Stars that dictated the pace of play and scored twice within a minute to take a 4-2 lead. Their defense shut it down from there, and the Lightning’s 5-game point streak ended with the final whistle blowing while a puck skittered harmlessly away from danger.
It wasn’t all bad for the Lightning as Anthony Cirelli continued his recent heater, scoring the game-opening goal just four minutes into the game.