In Tampa, the Florida Panthers’ decent into oblivion this post season took another step to completion on Sunday.
In an afternoon matinee, the Panthers needed a win in Game 3, instead they found a 5-1 loss to the Lightning.
The win for Tampa, gives them a 3-0 series lead.
Steve Stamkos hit for a double for the Lightning in the win.
“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.”
Andrei Vasilevskiy made 34 saves in the win.
Sam Reinhart was the lone striker for the Panthers. His first period power play goal tied the game, 1-1.
“The will — they’re blocking shots, we’re not, really,” Panthers coach Andrew Brunette said. “They’re managing different situations, and I think we’ve managed that fine, to be honest. But they’ve just got a little bit more will. When there’s a loose puck, they’re kind of outbattling us, and they want it a little bit more.”
had given the Bolts a 1-0 lead in the first period.
Reinhart’s power play goal broke an 0-for-25 stretch for Florida.
“It’s tough not to get frustrated,” Reinhart said. “I think there’s certain things we’re doing well, but obviously it’s not enough bodies around the net picking up those loose opportunities. It’s certainly frustrating when you’re that close but you’re not ultimately getting it in.”
Tampa tool the lead in the middle frame off a goal from Erik Cernak.
“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.”
Stamkos scored to extend the advantage to 3-1 midway through the second period.
Nikita Kucherov and Stamkos scored empty net goals in the third period to ice the win.
Sergei Bobrovsky made 31 saves in the Panthers loss.
“I’m sure they’re obviously disappointed,” Brunette said. “We fall behind, they’re a tough team to come back on. And we kind of fell behind here this whole series and we haven’t found that extra gear from behind, which we found all year. But you have to play one game to bring it home and keep it alive.”
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