Ross Colton hit the target with 3.8 seconds left in the third period and the Tampa Bay Lightning beat the Florida Panthers 2-1 Thursday at Sunrise in Game 2 of their second-round series.
Lightning led the series 2-0. It will continue in Tampa for the next two meetings, Sunday and Monday.
Andrei Vasilevskiy made intense saves with deflected shots late in the third period, then retaliated when Nikita Kucherov set up Colton’s game-winning goal.
Kucherov took the puck behind the Panthers net and accompanied Colton with a backhand to the crease. He fired at the reception and surprised goalkeeper Sergei Bobrovsky.
Corey Perry also scored on power play in the first period for the Lightning. Vasilevskiy stopped for 35 shots, while Bobrovsky made 25 saves.
Lightning’s power play generated three goals in the 4-1 win of the two-time defending Stanley Cup champions in Game 1 of the series on Tuesday. Tampa Bay therefore showed an efficiency of 4 to 7 in two games against the Panthers.
Eetu Luostarinen tied the game in the second period for the Panthers, who have scored just two goals in two games against the Lightning and have not scored in power play since the playoffs began.
The Panthers ’power play is now 0 for 25 in nine games since the Stanley Cup playoffs began.
The Panthers had a chance to deploy their power play in the third period, but they didn’t take advantage of it.
Source: Radio-Canada
