Lightning Seize Lead in Game 3 Against Panthers
- The Tampa Bay Lightning finally managed to take the lead they had been seeking throughout the series against the Florida Panthers in the second period of Game 3.
- After spending the first two games of the opening-round series playing catch-up to the Panthers, this was the Lightning’s chance to get back into the series.
- The Lightning had trailed the Panthers by two games to none going into Game 3, making this an important opportunity for them to turn the tide of the series.
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Lightning’s Comeback and Collapse Against the Panthers
- In the opening minutes of the second period, the Tampa Bay Lightning erased a one-goal deficit. Steven Stamkos scored a deflection goal just 44 seconds into the period, and Tyler Motte followed with a wrist shot from the high slot through traffic 2:12 later, giving the Lightning a one-goal lead.
- Stamkos commented, “I thought we played probably the best 10 minutes of the series right there. We were controlling the play physically. I thought we were on top of it. We had the lead finally. It’s just little mistakes that are costing us and, listen, that’s the difference at this time of the year.”
- However, the Lightning ran out of gas towards the end of the second period. Florida scored a pair of goals as a tired Tampa Bay team struggled to clear the puck from their own end, allowing the Panthers to regain the lead.
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