In Boston Wednesday night, Ondrej Palat struck twice early in the first period to get the Tampa Bay Lightning offense rolling in a 4-1 win over the Bruins in Game 3.
The Lightning now have a 2-1 series lead.
Tampa scored three in the first period to take a 3-1 lead.
“We made a few mistakes early that unfortunately we couldn’t crawl our way back from,” the Bruins’ Brad Marchand said. “But we had some pushes during the game where their goalie made some big saves. That’s how it goes sometimes.”
The teams played even the rest of the way and that just was not enough for the Bruins to get back in the game.
Anthony Cirelli scored with less than four minutes left in the first period to take the wind out of the Boston sails to make the score 3-1.
“Yeah, they had a bit of momentum after getting that goal, but we didn’t really back down,” Cirelli said. “We just kind of stuck with our game plan and I guess it’s pretty important.”
Patrice Bergeron scored the lone Bruins goal to cut the early deficit in half.
“It’s always nice to have a two-goal lead,” Palat said. “I’m just happy it’s going in. I thought the whole team played well.”
Andrei Vasilevskiy made 28 saves for the win.
Steven Stamkos added an empty net goal in the final minute to seal the win.
“They’re all big games, and Boston came in and took one of our games at home, we had to come and win one on the road and we did that,” Tampa head coach Jon Cooper said.
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Tuukka Rask made 33 saves in taking the loss.
“Obviously every time you get the puck on your stick in the slot, you want to put the puck in the net. It just didn’t go our way. Just have to be a little better next time, sharper. Pick your spot and put it in the net” the Bruins’ David Krejci said after the loss.
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