Tyler Johnson’s OT goal completes Tampa comeback, evens series vs. Detroit (Video)
Tyler Johnson needed only 2:25 of overtime to complete the Tampa Bay Lightning comeback in their 3-2 win over the Detroit Red Wings in Game 4.
When Joakim Andersson scored a fluky goal on Ben Bishop late in the second period to give the Red Wings a 2-0 lead, it just seemed like we were on our way to a 3-1 series lead for Detroit. Andersson’s first of the playoffs only came thanks to Bishop’s bad luck batting the puck away:
But a funny thing happened in the third period. In the span of 1:17, the game was tied, thanks to Johnson’s first of the night and Ondrej Palat’s tying goal. Suddenly, Tampa had life.
“As soon as we got that first one, we grew a couple inches on the bench,” said Lightning head coach Jon Cooper.
In overtime, Johnson sent the fans inside Joe Louis Arena home unhappy when his tough angle shot found a wide-open net to win the game.
What a great little set up by Victor Hedman.
Detroit lost control of the game and lost forward Luke Glendening with an injured hand during a third period group scrum that happened before both Lightning goals. Glendening told reporters it was his thumb that was hurt and he’ll be back for Game 5 on Saturday.
Aside from his two goals, Johnson also assisted on Palat’s tally in the second period. He’s now second in goals in the playoffs with four and tied for third in points with five. If the Lightning make a deep run this spring, look for the diminutive center to get lots of Conn Smythe Trophy love.
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Sean Leahy is the associate editor for Puck Daddy on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter! Follow @Sean_Leahy
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