In a pivotal NHL playoff series, the Florida Panthers took a commanding 3-0 series lead over the Tampa Bay Lightning with a 5-3 victory. The game saw the Panthers initially leading, with the score at 1-0 after the first period. The Lightning briefly gained a 2-1 lead in the second period, but the Panthers regained control, ending the second period ahead 3-2, with shots on goal favoring Tampa Bay 22-20. Despite Tampa Bay's efforts, including starting the third period with a 39-second power play, the Panthers extended their lead and secured the win. This victory places the Panthers in a strong position to advance in the playoffs, needing just one more win to eliminate the Lightning.
The third starts now! 📋 2-1, us 📺 @ballypanthers 📻 @radiolibre790 #TimeToHunt https://t.co/RXxYGitwdt
Third period is underway, season on the brink for #GoBolts down 2-1 https://t.co/ZrqIGbulAX
Explanation of Coach’s Challenge at 17:48 of the second period in the @TBLightning / @FlaPanthers game. https://t.co/2cU1hR2TqC
Here's your explanation from the NHL on the #Bolts second disallowed goal of the game. https://t.co/heeJWqGEX2
Time to close this out. https://t.co/C5lyUXcPxy
2-1 Panthers after 2. Verhaeghe scores first, Barkov scores shorthanded, Hedman cuts it to 2-1 and Lightning's tying goal waved off for goalie interference
#Bolts get the penalty killed off and that's the end of the second period. Panthers take a 2-1 lead to the locker room after 40 minutes. Shots are 29-19 Florida.
#GoBolts trail 2-1 after two periods facing elimination in Game 5. They've had two goals taken away tonight.
END 2: Panthers lead Tampa 2-1. More good chances on the power play, but no goal. Panthers have 29 shots to the Lightning's 19.
Second period ends, #GoBolts trail 2-1, unofficial shots on goal are 29-19 for Florida
END OF 2: Panthers 2, Lightning 1 Buckle up.
#FlaPanthers will take the 2-1 lead into the second intermission. Florida outshot Tampa Bay 22-12 in the frame.
After 2: Panthers 2, Lightning 1 — SOG: 29-19 FLA
Taking a lead to the third! https://t.co/KHTz3mQqQq
#GoBolts are able to kill off the delay of game penalty resulting from the lost challenge.
On-ice call is confirmed. No goal. Still a 2-1 game. Now #GoBolts will have to go on PK for lost challenge.
the ruling is confirmed ... two goals for the #Bolts that have not been goals in this game ... INSANE 2-1 Florida Panthers
Ruling stands. No goal. #FlaPanthers now get a power play because of Tampa's failed challenge. https://t.co/iLqaUG5N5C
NO GOAL - #FlaPanthers power play with 2:12 left 2nd
the #Bolts are challenging it https://t.co/aBdtIA96Kr
Sergachev finds the back of the net, but it's immediately called a no goal. Interference called on Cirelli. #GoBolts will challenge.
Tampa appears to tie the game but it's immediately called off. #FlaPanthers still up 2-1 with 2:12 left in the second. Tampa is challenging the ruling on the ice.
Sergachev scores but the referee waves it off immediately ...
GOAL: Tampa Bay strikes back almost immediately after Barkov's goal. Victor Hedman fires a laser past Bobrovsky, and the Panthers lead 2-1 with 6:23 left in the second period.
GOAL: Sasha Barkov gets a short-handed score to put the Panthers up 2-0 over the Lightning with 7:22 left in the second period.
Vasilevskiy makes the initial save but Barkov cleans up the rebound shorthanded and makes it 2-0 Panthers with 7:22 left in the second.
GOAL: Carter Verhaeghe puts the Panthers up 1-0 45 seconds into the second period. He grabs his own rebound and wrists it past Andrei Vasilevskiy.
Carter Verhaeghe picks up his own rebound and beats Andrei Vasilevskiy 45 seconds into the second period — 1-0 Panthers.
Panthers take a @2_much_man penalty 4:20 into the game. Tampa Bay gets its first power play of the night.
The Lightning strike the Panthers with 6 GOALS to win Game 4. ⚡️ https://t.co/tIhpaXU2GD
After 2: Lightning 4, Panthers 3 — SOG: 21-21
END OF 1: Lightning 3, Panthers 0
After 1: Lightning 3, Panthers 0 — SOG; 13-5 TBL
Motte to the box so the #Bolts will have to kill off the Panthers first power play of the game with 9:42 on the clock in this first period
Panthers beat Lightning 5-3 to take 3-0 series lead https://t.co/3sHA4OJGrh
The Florida Panthers take a 3-0 series lead against the Lightning. 🔥 https://t.co/wP5N3gu1il
#Bolts can't handle a puck along the boards and Lorentz scores in front. Panthers lead 4-2 with 10:19 to go.
After 2: Panthers 3, Lighting 2 — SOG 22-20 TBL Tampa Bay will have 39 seconds of power play time to start the third period.
END OF 2: Panthers 3, Lightning 2 Shots: 22-20 TBL PP's: 4-0 TBL 39 seconds left on the PP for TBL to start the 3rd
#Bolts get hemmed in their own end and Montour scores with a slap shot from the point. 3-2 Panthers with 3:30 left in the second.
Lightning take the 2-1 lead with 17:04 left in the second.
2-1 Lightning, 17:04 left in the second period. For the first time this series, Tampa Bay has a lead.
After 1: Panthers 1, Lightning 0 — SOG 11-10 FLA Tampa Bay will have 33 seconds of power play time to start the second period.
Point hits the post just before the final horn. #Bolts go to the locker room trailing 1-0 with the Panthers holding an 11-10 advantage in shots. TB will have 33 seconds remaining on the power play to start the second.