The Tampa Bay Lightning were unable to build on the momentum from their impressive win over Boston on Tuesday, falling at home to the Toronto Maple Leafs 3-1. The Leafs jumped out to a 3-0 lead and the Bolts simply could not crawl out of that hole in the final period, and they remain seven points behind Washington for the eighth and final playoff spot as the season slowly slips away.
The Leafs went up 1-0 just over a minute into the game, as John-Michael Liles scored his sixth goal of the season on the power play. Toronto went on the man advantage when Brian Lee was whistled for an interference penalty just seven seconds into the game. Joey Crabb and Jake Gardiner would add goals in the second period for the three-goal lead.
The Bolts would end the shutout, but it was too little, far too late as Martin St. Louis beat James Reimer with just six seconds remaining in the third and final period. Reimer was fabulous, stopping 34 of 35 shots the Bolts put on him. Tampa Bay will now host the St. Louis Blues on Saturday, looking to make one last late-season push.
For more news, analysis, and discussion on the Lightning, visit Raw Charge, SB Nation's Bolts blog. For the opponent's perspective, check out Pension Plan Puppets, SB Nation's Toronto Maple Leafs blog. Check out SB Nation's NHL hub for all your hockey news and analysis as the playoffs approach.