The Tampa Bay Lightning and Florida Panthers clashed in Game 3 at Amalie Arena on Sunday afternoon for the first of a back-to-back. It was an important game for the Panthers, who were looking to avoid going down 3-0 in the series.
Florida made one lineup change going into Sunday's game. Rookie forward Anton Lundell was made a healthy scratch and coming in to replace him was Maxim Mamin
Bruno confirms that Anton Lundell will be a healthy scratch today. Maxim Mamin slots onto the third line in his place.
Also, Patric Hornqvist will get a look on Florida's top power play unit.— David Dwork (@DavidDwork) May 22, 2022
Tampa opened the scoring just over thirteen minutes into the first period through Corey Perry, who netted his fifth of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Perry has now scored the opening goal in each of the three games in the series.
Corey Perry has scored the first goal for the @TBLightning for all three games in this series. 👀 #StanleyCup
🇺🇸: @NHL_On_TNT ➡️ https://t.co/AhwXCantPQ
🇨🇦: @Sportsnet ➡️ https://t.co/yXLUmpC3Mm pic.twitter.com/9K6K8RNrBQ— NHL (@NHL) May 22, 2022
A couple minutes later, Lightning forward Brandon Hagel hit Panthers forward Eetu Luostarinen from behind into the boards. Hagel initially received a five-minute major but upon review, it was reduced to a two-minute minor for cross-checking.
On the powerplay, Panthers forward Jonathan Huberdeau made a nifty move to slide the puck to Sam Reinhart in the slot who tied the game up at 1-1.
The @FlaPanthers tie it up on the power play! 🔋 #StanleyCup
🇺🇸: @NHL_On_TNT ➡️ https://t.co/AhwXCantPQ
🇨🇦: @Sportsnet ➡️ https://t.co/yXLUmpC3Mm pic.twitter.com/Hbh2Ay5HkW— NHL (@NHL) May 22, 2022
Early in the second period, Lightning defenceman Erik Cernak picked up the loose puck and fired it top corner past Sergei Bobrovsky's glove to give Tampa their second lead of the game.
Perfect placement from Erik Cernak. #StanleyCup 🎯
🇺🇸: @NHL_On_TNT ➡️ https://t.co/AhwXCantPQ
🇨🇦: @Sportsnet ➡️ https://t.co/yXLUmpC3Mm pic.twitter.com/3x8oEEHmIP— NHL (@NHL) May 22, 2022
Just over half-way through the second, after killing off a penalty, the Lightning took a 3-1. Nikita Kucherov passed it to Steven Stamkos' strong side and the Lightning captain ripped it under Bobrovsky's blocker.
.@RealStamkos91 with an absolute laser to make it 3-1! #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/dO8CSYrBYi— NHL GIFs (@NHLGIFs) May 22, 2022
Flash forward to the third period and with less than five minutes remaining, Lightning forward Nikita Kucherov scored his fourth goal of the Stanley Cup Playoffs to give Tampa a 4-1 lead.
Kucherov with the empty net dagger. 🗡 #StanleyCup | #GoBolts pic.twitter.com/L3LG7cNafd— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) May 22, 2022
Lightning captain Steven Stamkos added his second of the game less than two minutes later to seal the victory for Tampa Bay.
The Tampa Bay Lightning have the chance to sweep their state rival as the two teams go head-to-head on Monday night in Game 4 at Amalie Arena. Puck drop is set for 7 p.m. ET on TNT in the United States and CBC in Canada.
