In a building where wins have been few and far between for the Tampa Bay Lightning, and on the second half of a back-to-back, the Bolts managed to grab the lead twice against the Washington Capitals. What they couldn’t do was hold the lead. A power play goal on a deflection by Tom Wilson tied the game in the third period, and a back-door, seeing-eye shot by Jakob Chychrun was the difference in the Caps 3-2 overtime win.
Despite the disappointment in the end, there was plenty of positive to pull from this loss (unlike their first two defeats). The power play connected for the first time since opening night as Brayden Point tipped home a shot from the top of the slot from Victor Hedman. Andrei Vasilevskiy may have been caught looking the wrong way on Aliaksei Protas’ game-tying goal in the second period as he wrongly assumed Connor McMichael was going to take the puck around the back of the net, but he still ended up with 25 saves on 28 shots while posting his first positive goals saved above expected (sure, it was only 0.16, but it’s still a positive!)
They had another strong start to a game as Jake Guentzel gave them the lead seven minutes into the game when he was in the right spot to put home a feed from Ryan McDonagh. The Bolts were getting to the net and causing trouble for Logan Thompson. Yet, despite the positives, they didn’t find a way to pull out a win.
Yes, they had four high-danger chances in the first period, doubling up on the Caps, but they only had one the rest of the way. Washington was able to box out the front of the net for the most part (another Brandon Hagel shot off the iron not withstanding). Thompson finished the night with 17 saves as the Lightning struggled once again to get the puck to the net, posting just 11 shots over the final two periods and overtime (where they never got out of their zone).
The defense did well for the majority of the night, which was even more impressive considering Max Crozier only played 4:27 before leaving with an undisclosed injury. Unfortunately, it was a bad penalty by Emil Lilleberg that led to the power play on which Wilson tied the game in the third period. Victor Hedman also failed to clear the puck during that kill just prior to the goal.
That goal is emblematic of the entire game – good, but slightly off in execution. Hedman made the right decision (regardless of what the ESPN crew said). He had a chance to send Guentzel on a shot-handed breakaway against a tired first unit of the Capitals, but the pass just wasn’t good enough. Washington was able to pick it off and keep it in the zone.
The Lightning picked up three out of four points against two teams that have had their number on the road for years. They are still fighting to find their offense, but aspects of their game that make them a tough opponent are starting to emerge. It’s a long season, and there is still more than enough time to start munching up points.
After a two-day break they will head back on the road for another back-to-back against Detroit and Columbus. If they can take the positive defensive play from tonight and sprinkle in some offense, there are points to be had.
Goals
Jake Guentzel (Ryan McDnagh, ) 1-0 Lightning
"That looked like a set play off the faceoff!!!" The Bolts cash in off the faceoff with an impressive deflection by Guentzel! #TBLvsWSH 🎧: boltsaud.io/live 📻: 102.5 The Bone
— Lightning Audio Network (@boltsradio.bsky.social) October 14, 2025 at 7:43 PM
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Aliaksei Protas (Connor McMichael, Tom Wilson) 1-1
Washington goal! Scored by Aliaksei Protas with 02:22 remaining in the 2nd period. Assisted by Connor McMichael and Tom Wilson. Washington: 1 Tampa Bay: 1 #TBLvsWSH #ALLCAPS #GoBolts
— NHL Goals (@nhlgoals.bsky.social) October 14, 2025 at 8:45 PM
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Brayden Point (Victor Hedman, Nikita Kucherov) Power Play, 2-1 Lightning
"HEDMAN, THE WRIST SHOT!!!" Point with the stick down deflects the puck in to take the lead! #TBLvsWSH 🎧: boltsaud.io/live 📻: 102.5 The Bone
— Lightning Audio Network (@boltsradio.bsky.social) October 14, 2025 at 9:23 PM
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Tom Wilson (Dylan Strome, John Carlson) Power Play, 2-2
Power play goal for Washington! Scored by Tom Wilson with 15:04 remaining in the 3rd period. Assisted by Dylan Strome and John Carlson. Washington: 2 Tampa Bay: 2 #TBLvsWSH #ALLCAPS #GoBolts
— NHL Goals (@nhlgoals.bsky.social) October 14, 2025 at 9:21 PM
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Jakob Chychrun (Tom Wilson, Dylan Strome) 3-on-3, 3-2 Capitals
Washington goal! Scored by Jakob Chychrun with 03:41 remaining in the OT period. Assisted by Tom Wilson and Dylan Strome. Washington: 3 Tampa Bay: 2 #TBLvsWSH #ALLCAPS #GoBolts
— NHL Goals (@nhlgoals.bsky.social) October 14, 2025 at 9:58 PM
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