TORONTO _ Another slow start cost the Lightning on Tuesday. They were absent the first period and went on to a 2-1 loss to Toronto.
The Lightning did not put a shot on net through the first 11 minutes. They had a power-play midway through the period and only took one shot, while the Maple Leafs had three scoring chances the other end. The Lightning came on stronger in the second half of the period, but were outshot 18-6 in the frame.
Meanwhile, William Nylander but the Leafs on the goal with a power-play goal at 6:18, on Toronto's sixth shot of the game. He scored on John Tavares' rebound.
The Lightning dominated the second period, and evened up the shot clock.
Ondrej Palat tied the game up 4:38 into the frame. Brayden Point got a breakaway, but was caught by two Maple Leafs and lost the puck. Nikita Kucherov followed and put a shot on net, then Palat cleaned up the rebound.
Auston Matthews made the difference in an evenly-played third. He scored a power-play goal in the third period to give Toronto the lead for good. Mitch Marner fed him a nice pass for a one-toner from the right circle.
The Leafs capitalized on two of the Lightning's five power plays. Tampa Bay was scoreless on their four chances.
Both goalies kept their teams in the game for long stretches. Andrei Vasilevskiy Made 34 saves, while Toronto netminder Frederik Andersen had 32.
The Lightning have now lost three of their last five games on slow starts, including to the Bruins and Red Wings.
