Ducks-Lightning: Ducks lead, 3-2, after second period

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The Ducks appeared to be running away with the lead and the win.

Winger Bobby Ryan converted on a power-play goal at 6:52 that gave the Ducks a three-goal lead, moments after David Hale’s high stick opened a wound above his right eye that later required stitches.

But then the Tampa Bay Lightning staved off the momentum, leaving the Ducks with a 3-2 lead after two periods.

Soon after Ryan’s power-play goal, the Lightning seemed to catch the Ducks off guard as center Jeff Halpern sneaked in a goal at 7:23 to make it 3-1.

Lightning center Steven Stamkos scored 18 seconds later on a play that required a few extra viewings. After his shot bounced off the chest of Ducks goaltender Jonas Hiller, Stamkos managed to nip the puck with his stick past Hiller’s right shoulder as Stamkos fell to the ground.

The Ducks tried answering on a power play when Andrej Meszaros was called for high-sticking at 11:23, but to no avail. They didn’t take advantage of Kurtis Foster’s tripping penalty at 14:49, either. The Ducks are 2-of-6 overall on the power play.

Note: After blocking a shot from Tampa Bay center Paul Szczechura at 8:41 in the first period, Ducks defenseman James Wisniewski left the ice because of a bruised right foot. X-rays were negative, but he did not return. Defenseman Steve Eminger was scratched because of back spasms.

-- Mark Medina