Game Recap
The Florida Panthers have taken a 3-1 lead in their first-round series against the Tampa Bay Lightning, thanks to a thrilling comeback victory on Monday night. Aaron Ekblad and Seth Jones scored two crucial goals in the third period, just 11 seconds apart, to erase a two-goal deficit and secure a 4-2 win for the Panthers.
Panthers’ Comeback
The Panthers had a slow start to the third period, managing only three shots on goal before Ekblad tied the game on a putback with 3:47 remaining. Jones then found the back of the net shortly after, sending the crowd into a frenzy. This sudden turn of events has given the Panthers a significant advantage in the series, with a chance to clinch it on Wednesday night in Tampa.
Third-Period Turnaround
Anton Lundell also scored for the Panthers, while Carter Verhaeghe added an empty-net goal to seal the win. Sergei Bobrovsky stopped 18 shots, including several crucial saves in the third period to keep the Panthers in the game. The Lightning’s Mitchell Chaffee and Erik Cernak had scored 11 seconds apart in the second period to put their team up 2-1, but it wasn’t enough to hold off the Panthers’ late surge.
Injury Concern
Tampa Bay’s Brandon Hagel left the game in the second period after taking a high hit from Ekblad, which made contact with the left wing’s chin area and sent him onto his back. Hagel went straight to the locker room, and no penalty was called on the play. The incident has raised concerns about player safety and the potential for disciplinary action.
Series Outlook
The Panthers will now head to Tampa with a chance to clinch the series on Wednesday night. A win would send them to the next round, while a loss would force a Game 6 back in Sunrise. The Lightning, on the other hand, will need to regroup and find a way to bounce back from this tough defeat.
Conclusion
The Panthers’ comeback victory has set the stage for a thrilling conclusion to the series. With their 3-1 lead, they are in a strong position to advance to the next round. However, the Lightning are a talented team and will not go down without a fight. Fans can expect an intense and exciting Game 5 on Wednesday night.
FAQs
- What is the current series score between the Panthers and the Lightning?
The Panthers lead the series 3-1. - Who scored the two crucial goals in the third period for the Panthers?
Aaron Ekblad and Seth Jones scored the two goals, just 11 seconds apart. - What is the status of Brandon Hagel after he left the game in the second period?
Hagel’s status is unclear, but he left the game after taking a high hit from Ekblad and did not return. - When is the next game in the series?
The next game is on Wednesday night in Tampa.
