Introduction to the Game
The Tampa Bay Lightning secured a 5-1 victory against the Florida Panthers on Thursday, led by Brayden Point’s goal and two assists. This win comes ahead of their first-round playoff matchup against the same opponents.
Game Highlights
Nikita Kucherov had a goal and an assist, and Yanni Gourde added two assists. Conor Geekie, Jake Guentzel, and Darren Raddysh also scored for Tampa Bay. Andrei Vasilevskiy stopped 23 shots. On the other side, Brad Marchand scored for Florida, which finished its regular season schedule, and Vitek Vanecek finished with 26 saves.
First Period Dominance
Tampa Bay scored three goals in the first period, with Point scoring 1:32 into the game. Geekie made it 2-0 with 4:35 left before Guentzel scored shorthanded with 1:51 to play in the period. This early lead set the tone for the rest of the game.
Second Period and Beyond
Kucherov made it 4-0 almost five minutes into the second, but Marchand answered about a minute later. Raddysh scored a 5-on-3 power-play goal with 8:38 to play, moments after Florida’s Jesse Puljujarvi was assessed a match penalty for an illegal check to the head to Mitchell Chaffee.
Key Takeaways
Panthers
Florida played without regulars Aleksander Barkov, Sam Reinhart, Gustav Forsling, Anton Lundell, and A.J. Greer. Marchand’s goal is his second since joining the Panthers.
Lightning
Geekie has two goals in two games since being recalled from AHL Syracuse. Victor Hedman recorded his fourth 50-assist season. Anthony Cirelli recorded his 23rd career shorthanded point.
Key Moment
Tampa Bay was up 2-0 late in the first period when Brandon Hagel took a double-minor to negate a Lightning power play. But seven seconds into the Florida power play, Cirelli won a puck battle against Seth Jones and fed Guentzel in front for a short-handed goal to make it 3-0.
Key Stat
Kucherov reached the 120-point mark for the second consecutive season and third time in his career, becoming just the 14th player in NHL history with three-or-more seasons of at least 120 points.
Up Next
The Lightning finish the regular season at the New York Rangers, while the Panthers await Game 1 of their opening-round series against Tampa Bay.
Conclusion
This victory for the Lightning showcases their strength and readiness for the playoffs. With key players performing well and the team’s ability to score in critical moments, they are poised for a strong playoff run. The upcoming series against the Panthers promises to be intense, given the teams’ recent matchup and the Panthers’ determination to turn their season around.
FAQs
- Q: Who led the Lightning in their victory against the Panthers?
- A: Brayden Point led the Lightning with a goal and two assists.
- Q: What is significant about Nikita Kucherov’s performance this season?
- A: Kucherov reached the 120-point mark for the second consecutive season and third time in his career.
- Q: When do the Lightning and Panthers meet in the playoffs?
- A: The teams meet in the opening round of the playoffs starting this weekend.
