Tampa Bay Lightning Dominate Florida Panthers 5-1 in Game 3 at Amalie Arena, Take 3-0 Series Lead
By Zach Clark // May 22, 2022
Andrei 'The Big Kat' Vasilevskiy records 34-saves
ABOVE VIDEO: Extended highlights of the Florida Panthers at the Tampa Bay Lightning. (NHL Video)
TAMPA, FLORIDA – The Tampa Bay Lightning dominated the Florida Panthers on Sunday after 5-1 victory in game 3 at Amalie Arena.
The Lightning were tied 1-1 at the beginning of the second period, but never looked back when the back-to-back defending Stanley Cup Champs ringed off four unanswered goals.
Nikita Kucherov shined again after recording a goal and three assists in the victory.
Team captain Steven Stamkos scored two goals and was satisfied with his team’s performance to get a win on Sunday.
“At this time of the year, it’s about winning and you need to do what’s going to produce the wins,” Stamkos said. “It’s not always pretty and it’s not always going to be the highlight plays, although there are some, especially with [Kucherov] out there.”
Goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy showed, once again, that he is the best goalie in the NHL after recording 34-saves in the victory and putting the clamps down on the Panthers offensive attack.
Head Coach Jon Cooper addressed the media after the win and made it known he is really happy with how the team is performing right now but wants his team to finish the job on Monday.
“We’re [darn] pleased with what’s going on here, but you know, we haven’t done anything yet,” Lightning coach Jon Cooper said.
“We only won a couple games but the series isn’t over. And until you start checking off that fourth win, there’s nothing we can sit and hang our hat on. So we’re inching our way closer, but this is far from over.”
The Lightning will have a quick turnaround with Game 4 set for Monday night at 7 p.m.
