The Tampa Bay Lightning put up an incredible effort defeating the Florida Panthers 6-1. Lacking Steven Stamkos and Anthony Cirelli, Tampa performed with a subsequent man up mentality. They exploded for 4 objectives within the second, whereas Andrei Vasilevskiy was unbelievable in web. Tampa put forth a significantly better effort than on Thursday. They have been aggressive on the puck and have been in a position to spend lengthy stretches of time within the Florida finish. As well as, Tampa introduced a relentless bodily mentality and didn’t draw back from scraps. The Lightning have been in search of redemption and acquired it in an enormous means and stay in first place within the Central Division.
Penalty killers come up massive early
Large penalty killing is vital when enjoying a group with a dynamic powerplay. Florida got here into the sport sporting the second finest powerplay within the league at 37%. Tyler Johnson stated “the penalty killers did their job” they usually did and extra. The unit was examined early when Victor Hedman took a double minor for high-sticking. They have been fast to strain the puck provider and made it troublesome for the Panthers to get clear entries into the zone. Once they did Vasilevskiy was there to close the door. The Lightning killed off all 4 of the Panthers powerplays.
Large effort and mentality
After shedding to Florida 5-2 on Thursday, Tampa knew they must carry a significantly better effort in the event that they have been to stay in first place. Captain Steven Stamkos missed his second recreation as a consequence of being positioned on the Covid-19 checklist. As well as, Ahead Anthony Cirelli sustained an upper-body damage within the final recreation and is taken into account week-to-week. Down two vital items the subsequent man up mentality was extraordinarily vital and the Lightning answered the bell. Mathieu Joseph stated “We’re assured in our group, regardless of who’s within the lineup”, and rightfully in order depth items have been in a position to contribute offensively.
Gemel Smith making his season debut after being referred to as up from the taxi-squad had a huge impact. He picked up two assists together with a superb play alongside the wall and feed Alex Volkov, giving him his first profession NHL purpose. Mathieu Joseph who has performed glorious after being scratched for the playoffs scored his fifth of the season on a breakaway after blocking a shot. Goodrow would additionally reap the benefits of an absence luster third interval effort by the Panthers and added his third of the season sliding it by the five-hole of Bobrovsky on a breakaway. The Lightning’s depth dominated this recreation.
A pair of triplets
Ondrej Palat has been super since having an excellent 2020 playoff. Coming into tonight’s recreation he had 5 objectives and 4 help in 12 video games this season. Palat has been the blue collar participant on the highest line and he got here by tonight scoring on a depraved one-timer on the powerplay to open the scoring. Tyler Johnson stepped as much as the plate with key gamers lacking. After solely scoring one purpose within the first 11, he scored twice tonight. His first got here from a pleasant cross from Smith and Johnson was in a position to fireplace it high shelf. His second got here from nice positioning in conjunction with the web.
Up Subsequent
The Lightning should carry the identical effort and mentality Monday if there are to take 2-of-3 from Florida. Count on a significantly better effort from Florida as they didn’t play laborious within the third interval. Following Monday’s Sport the Lighning will head to Dallas
Three Stars
- Andrei Vasilevskiy: He made quite a few super saves together with robbing Anthony Duclair in conjunction with the web.
- Tyler Johnson: Picked up 2 objectives together with one late within the second to slam the door.
- Gemel Smith: After being referred to as up from the taxi squad as a consequence of accidents, he performed a serious position getting two assister and performed a tough nosed recreation.
