The back-to-back strikes from Raddysh and Katchouk, the third and fourth goals for the Lightning on the night, helped turned this game into a lopsided one. Before the contest was 30 minutes old, it was 5-0. The Lightning were able to effectively manage the final half of the game en route to a blowout win.
The Flyers actually had more possession than the Lightning. They registered 39 shots and had 69 shot attempts. But after the early minutes of the game, the Lightning effectively limited the number of scoring chances. The Flyers could not say the same. Throughout the night, the Lightning had time and space to make plays. They feasted on odd-man rushes and, when they had the puck in the offensive zone, produced open looks from prime areas. Ryan McDonagh's opening goal came off an odd-man rush. Corey Perry added to the lead 60 seconds later when he collected a McDonagh shot that went off the end board and swept in a wrap-around.
Victor Hedman was skating aggressively and jumping into plays. That was noticeable as he collected his three assists. On Raddysh's goal, he accelerated to gobble up a loose puck in the neutral zone, creating a chance for Raddysh off the rush. Raddysh then did the rest, roofing a shot from the right circle inside the far post and crossbar. Minutes later, Hedman walked from the blue line into the slot, taking a feed from Raddysh and wiring a shot to the net. After Carter Hart stopped the first shot and Ross Colton's rebound, Katchouk swept the puck in. Hedman made a smart pinch and nifty pass to Perry on Pat Maroon's third period goal.
Mathieu Joseph had a strong outing in his return from injury. He started the sequence on the opening goal with a terrific cross-ice pass to McDonagh in the neutral zone. During a Lightning penalty kill in the second, he blocked Hart's attempted clear and slid a backhander into a vacated net.
Elliott was sharp against his former team. With 38 saves, he stayed busy throughout and, with the exception of Cam Atkinson's deflected power play goal, stopped every shot that came his way. From the routine to the difficult.
Following the back-to-back weekend sweep, the Lightning get a well-deserved day off before continuing the trip in Montreal on Tuesday.
Lightning Radio Three Stars of the Game:
1. Victor Hedman - Lightning. Three assists.
2. Brian Elliott - Lightning. 38 saves.
3. Corey Perry - Lightning. Two goals and assist.
