Steven Stamkos cut the Canucks lead in half at 10:12 of the second period after Ryan Malone played the puck from the boards and fed Stamkos for his league leading 29th goal of the season. A few minutes later, Manny Malhotra, who has not had stellar numbers this season, found the back of the net to extend Vancouver’s lead to 3-1.
The Lightning continued to generate pressure on Canucks goaltender Cory Schneider, including Stamkos being robbed by Schneider on a breakaway. Following that glove save, Vincent Lecavalier scored on a rebound with only 31.6 second left in the second period.
Seconds after the Lightning goal, Stamkos was checked in the Lightning zone and immediately skated off to the team locker room.
To make matters worse for Tampa Bay, Ryan Kessler ran into Lightning goaltender Dwayne Roloson and although it appeared there was evidence of goaltender inference, Kesler was credited with the goal, which was scored with 1.4 seconds before the period expired.