Namestnikov scores in OT, Lightning beat Maple Leafs 5-4

The one which seems to resonate the most is that the young Lightning captain will not be re-signing a contract with the Tampa Bay Lightning when his current contract expires at the conclusion of the 2015-16 season, and will be making his way back home and become a member of the Toronto Maple Leafs. “But we battled back, we let Vasy get some big saves at the end and obviously (it was) a big win for us”.

Heading into overtime for the seventh time this season, the Lightning only recorded one shot on net and it was all they needed to skate away with a win.

First-period goals by Bozak and van Riemsdyk gave the Leafs the lead, and Rielly added another in the second after an important 5-on-3 penalty kill. A late-second-period goal by Stralman helped turn the tide. “Lots of nights we haven’t had run support”.

Bernier initially argued for goaltender interference by Brain Boyle on Marchessault’s goal, but no coach’s challenge was used despite Toronto taking their time to approach center ice for the following faceoff.

Bernier felt he was clipped from behind on Marchessault’s goal, and though the 27-year-old felt in control, he wasn’t as sharp as the Leafs needed him to be.

“I ached for the kid, because he hasn’t scored in a few games here and he’s trying so hard”, Lightning coach Jon Cooper said. When Steven Stamkos chose to play the field a little prior to the start of the 2011-12 season, the very same rumors made their way around the internet.

“We showed no quit”, Namestnikov said.

“Some of those games that we lost, I thought we still created enough chances to score goals, but none were going in”, Zubrus said.

Stamkos – who grew up in nearby Markham, Ont., – has said his actions on Twitter, recently and two summers ago, were accidental.

“The only time it bothered me to be honest with you (was) when I came here and people would be yelling at you, ‘Are you coming here?’ Other than that, you didn’t even notice it was going on”, Babcock said. “I don’t think there was any difference once the puck dropped”. It’s exciting that way.

The club sent him down to the Minors, he was called up and never really improved his game. Maple Leafs D Frank Corrado played his first game since being claimed from Vancouver on October 6….

The success of the Leafs’ plan, which led to James Reimer aggravating an injury and Garret Sparks playing more than anyone could have expected, can’t be judged yet. Lightning F Mike Blunden, who was celebrating his birthday, scored for the Lightning on an assist by Yanni Gourde, also celebrating his birthday.