Suddenly, Tampa Bay Lightning is feeling more alive.
Do not make any mistake-Florida panthers still extend the first round series of this Eastern Conference 2–1. And the Stanley Cup Champions-Sunrise, which is panthers-governance, will be at home for Game 4 on Monday night in Fla. But no team has won the house game yet in this best-seven series.
And Tampa Bay’s 5–1 win Sunrise, Fla., Electricity has given a spark on Saturday afternoon. Prior to Saturday’s victory, Lightning lost seven of their last eight playoff games.
Suddenly – after that one victory – there is a new electricity attitude.
“This was a huge win for our team,” said Lightning Forward Jake Guestzel. “It gives us some confidence and some life in this series.
“But this is only a game. We have to be ready for the next one.”
Lightning was never led in the first two matches of this series. He again lagged behind on Saturday and Nick Paul did not lead his first leadership till the score at 13:17 of the second period.
“It is very big to receive the lead,” said Lightning Coach John Cooper. “We were down 1–0 (on Saturday), and (Florida’s) building was buzzing.
“I think our team has mental strength. … We eventually tied it, and then we pierced that bubble, finally the lead.”
Indeed, after scoring a total of two goals in the first two matches, there are sudden hot players in Lightning. For example, Nikita Kucherov had three assistance on Saturday and Guestzel had a goal and two assistance.
Kucherov has registered at least three assistance in the 11 career playoff games. Only Wayne Greatzaki (28 times) and Mark Mesier (12) were higher. Paul Coffee and Doug Gilmar competed for 11 matches of Kucherov.
Meanwhile, panthers will not panic after just a loss. This is the main message of Captain Alexander Barkov.
“We will learn a lot from (Saturday) game,” said Barkov. “We (on Saturday) made a great start and did the right thing.
“But (Lightning) is a great team. They really play well. … We can all learn it.”
Panthers managed only Matthew Takachuk’s target in the first period of Saturday. But this is a dangerous team that is very capable.
During the regular season, Sam Renhart led Florida (39) and points (81). He also led the team in power-play goals (13) and short-hand scores (five). Barkov led the team (51) and power-play assists (19). Tkachuk missed 30 games due to injuries, but still ended with 22 goals and 35 assistance.
Sam Bennett (25) and Carter Verheghe (20) also attended Reneht, Barkov and Takachuk at Florida’s 20-Gol Club.
Panthers coach Paul Maurice said he liked how his team started on Saturday, but nothing was right for Florida in the last two periods.
Maurice said, “I felt that we stopped taking the way we can do.” “I don’t think we were great. But, aggressively, I think we produced more on Saturday than any of the first two matches.
“We have a lot of rooms to be better. … It’s going to be a series mill.”
-Bield level media
