NHL scores 2017: The Lightning’s playoff hopes were saved by a 5-minute offensive explosion

The Lightning had a season-defining moment on Monday night. Down 4-1 to the Blackhawks, Tampa Bay posted three goals in less than five minutes in the second period before going on to win, 5-4, in overtime.

If the Lightning manage to sneak into the playoffs, many will come back to this moment with good reason. Up until Jonathan Drouin’s goal just past the halfway point of the game, everything was going wrong for Tampa Bay. Andrei Vasilevskiy allowed three goals on eight shots before being pulled at the 14-minute mark of the first period. The high-octane Chicago offense was opportunistic and buried the chances they were given to end the period up, 3-1.

But, Vasilevskiy was given a chance to start anew in the second period — and so was the rest of the team. From there, after Richard Panik’s goal that made it 4-1, the Lightning went on the offensive. It certainly helped that the Blackhawks got caught sleeping big time, but Tampa Bay’s big hitters in Drouin and Anton Stralman stepped up to the plate and delivered.

Vasilevskiy recovered extremely well, and was essential in the win with a 25-save performance. Yanni Gourde got the game-winner and it’s no doubt the biggest goal of the two he’s scored in his 15-game NHL career.

And yes, remember this win and those five minutes should the Lightning do this thing. As it stands, they’re one point behind the Bruins and two behind the Maple Leafs. With the Islanders failing to win Monday and a three-game win streak filling their sails, the Lightning look poised to make some noise in their last seven games.

Red Wings 4, Hurricanes 3 (OT)
Sabres 4, Panthers 2
Predators 3, Islanders 1
Lightning 5, Blackhawks 4 (OT)
Blues 4, Coyotes 1
Flames 4, Avalanche 2

1. Jack Eichel has recovered from his injury nicely

It’s hard not to wonder what the second overall pick from 2015 would have done this season had he been fully healthy. Though Eichel sat out the first few weeks of the season with an ankle injury, he’s performed well for the Sabres with 55 points in 55 games this year.

Eichel’s two-point night helped the Sabres to a 4-2 win over the Panthers, and he’s now one of 11 players this season with a point-per-game average.

2. Justin Faulk was the king of last minute goals

The Hurricanes lost to the Red Wings, 4-3, in overtime, but the reason they were able to get to the extra frame was thanks to one Justin Faulk. Twice in Monday’s game was Faulk able to even the score for the Hurricanes in the final 60 seconds of the period.

The first came at the end of the second period that made it 2-2.

The second helped send the game to overtime with a 3-3 tally with 52 seconds to play in the third.

3. March continues to be good for the Blues

With the month of March coming to a close soon, St. Louis is no doubt the hottest team coming into the home stretch. Since March 1, the Blues have lost just three games out of 13 and have put themselves in position to move up to third in the Central over the Predators.

On Monday, the Blues coasted over the Coyotes, 4-1, and only play one playoff bound team in their last seven games of the season.

Eddie Lack was taken to the hospital after colliding with Andreas Athanasiou at the end of Monday’s contest.

The Hurricanes goaltender was stretchered off, but gave a thumbs up to the crowd before being escorted off the ice.