May 22, 2022; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Lightning right wing Nikita Kucherov (86) is congratulated by center Steven Stamkos (91) after scoring a goal against the Florida Panthers in the third period in game three of the second round of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Amalie Arena. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports
NHL: Stanley Cup Playoffs-Florida Panthers at Tampa Bay Lightning
The two-time defending Stanley cup champion Tampa Bay Lightning have taken a commanding three games to zero lead over the Florida Panthers who won the presidents trophy this year. In their first round series Tampa Bay defeated the Toronto Maple Leafs in a seven-game series. The Maple Leafs at one point had a three games to two lead, but then the Lightning won two straight including game seven on the road.
In Tampa Bay’s second round series against Florida, they started the series off by winning 4-1 on the road. In that game Corey Perry, Pierre Edouard Bellemare, Nikita Kucherov, and Ross Colton all had goals. Tampa Bay goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy also had a great game saving 33 of 34 shots in game one.
In game two the game was tied at one in the final seconds when Nikita Kucherov made a nice backhand pass to Ross Colton to score the game winning goal with only four seconds remaining giving the Lightning a two games to zero lead. This game was an instant classic as the Lightning stunned the Panthers with that last second goal.
Game three was a different story with Tampa Bay getting an easy 5-1 victory over Florida. In game three Nikita Kucherov had one goal and three assists and Steven Stamkos looked like his old self scoring two goals. In this game Vasilevskiy turned in another great effort saving 34 of 35 shots in the game. Tampa Bay will be going for the sweep tonight at home.
