Goncalves the Shootout Hero in Lightning 3-2 Win Over Stars

The Tampa Bay Lightning (40-23-5) kicked off a three-game road trip with a 3-2 shootout win against the Dallas Stars (43-21-4) on Thursday night at American Airlines Center. Brandon Hagel and Anthony Cirelli scored in regulation for the Lightning, while Gage Goncalves scored the game-winner in the shootout. Andrei Vasilevskiy made 22 saves.

Related: Is the Lightning Defense Strong Enough to Win a Stanley Cup?

Oskar Bäck and Mason Marchment were the goal-scorers for the Stars. Casey DeSmith made 36 saves.

Game Recap

The opening 20 minutes were wide open, yet tight checking at the same time, with 22 total shots, and both teams earning a trip to the sin bin.

Hagel put the Lightning on the board early with his 32nd goal of the season at 4:35, converting on a Dallas turnover in the neutral zone.

Cirelli put the Lightning up 2-0 at 7:21 of the second period, taking advantage of a rebound created by a Hagel shot on a breakaway. Bäck answered for the Stars 37 seconds later, on a tip-in play from a Colin Blackwell shot from the left circle.

The Stars converted on the power play at 13:48 to tie the game 2-2. Marchment poked a loose rebound past Vasilevskiy for his 17th goal of the season.

After nothing could be decided in the final 25 minutes, the Lightning won 3-2 in the shootout, capped off by Goncalves‘ game-winning goal. Jake Guentzel and Brayden Point were the other shootout goal-scorers for the Lightning. Jason Robertson and Matt Duchene scored in the shootout for the Stars.

The Lightning outshot the Stars 38-24 and went 0-for-1 on the power play. The Stars went 1-for-2 with the man advantage.

Up Next

Both teams are back in action on Saturday afternoon. The Stars will continue their homestand when they welcome the Philadelphia Flyers to the AAC, while the Lightning will continue their road trip when they take on the Utah Hockey Club.