Lightning done in late on the road against the Maple Leafs

By foxsports
Published

TORONTO (AP) -- Nazem Kadri scored twice and James van Riemsdyk got the go-ahead goal late in the third period to lift the Toronto Maple Leafs over the Tampa Bay Lightning 3-2 on Tuesday night.

Jonathan Bernier made 40 saves in his first career start against the Lightning. Van Riemsdyk one-timed Phil Kessel's feed past goalie Ben Bishop at 15:57 of the third for his team-leading 21st goal.

Less than a minute later, Lightning captain Martin St. Louis had an excellent chance for the equalizer. He was stopped by Bernier's left pad on a one-time shot.

Kadri scored twice in less than 8 minutes to give the Maple Leafs a 2-0 lead before the midway point of the second period, but Matthew Carle and Mark Barberio responded for Tampa Bay to tie it after 40 minutes.

Toronto avoided its fifth three-game losing streak of the season and halted the Lightning's three-game winning streak.

Bishop made 23 saves for Tampa Bay.

Kadri opened the scoring at 1:49 of the second period when his shot hit a Lightning player in front and fooled Bishop.

Then at 9:48, Kadri picked up his second of the night with a highlight-reel, forehand-backhand deke to beat Bishop for his 14th of the season. It was Kadri's second multigoal game this season.

Ondrej Palat hit Carle with a no-look feed at 13:13 of the second and the defenseman beat Bernier stick-side.

Barberio tied it 4 minutes later, putting home the rebound off a scramble in front of Bernier for his fourth of the season and fourth in four games.

Toronto had three straight first-period power plays, but had just three shots to show for it. The Lightning outshot the Maple Leafs 11-6 in the opening 20 minutes.

Tampa Bay had the best scoring chance of the first, short-handed, when J.T. Brown finished a 2-on-1 feed from Nate Thompson at 3:57, but Bernier was there to shut the door.

NOTES: Canadian Olympic hopeful and Lightning star Steven Stamkos missed his 36th game while recovering from a broken right leg. The Markham, Ont., native returned to practice Tuesday after missing Monday with discomfort. ... Maple Leafs forward David Bolland (ankle) participated in his first game-day skate since getting injured Nov. 2. Toronto defenseman Mark Fraser was a healthy scratch for the 10th straight game, and Paul Ranger was scratched for the 11th consecutive game. ... Six-time Canadian Olympic medalist Clara Hughes dropped the ceremonial puck before the game.