The Lightning are not ready to give up their throne! Dominated twice on the ice of the New York Rangers during the first two rounds of the Eastern Conference final, the double NHL title holder responded in front of his supporters. If the first 20 minutes saw the two goalkeepers keep their respective clean sheets, the situation changed in the space of three minutes in the middle of the second period. It was the Rangers who struck first on the power play. Launched by Adam Fox and Artemi Panarin, Mika Zibanejad went to deceive Andrei Vasilevskiy. The Lightning goalkeeper had to start again just two minutes later when, on passes from Mika Zibanejad and Artemi Panarin, Chris Kreider took advantage of a new numerical superiority to make the break. Back to the wall, Tampa Bay had to react and it took only 66 seconds for that.
The Lightning never gave up
In turn to one more on the ice, the Floridians went to deceive Igor Shesterkin. On an action initiated by Victor Hedman and Steven Stamkos, Nikita Kucherov made the public massed in the bays of the Amalie Arena stand up. Barely 82 seconds after the start of the last period and on the power play, Steven Stamkos completely revived the Lightning. Found by Corey Perry and Nikita Kucherov, he left the Rangers goalkeeper no chance. A tie that held almost until the end of the match. As overtime loomed, Nikita Kucherov and Victor Hedman led the winning offensive. Perfectly shifted, Ondrej Palat sealed the fate of the meeting. With this victory (3-2), the Lightning remains alive in the series before a Game 4 also played on its ice.
ICE HOCKEY – NHL / CONFERENCE FINALS
From May 31 to June 13, 2022
Eastern Conference
NEW YORK RANGERS (4) – TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING (5) : 2-1
Match 1 – New York Rangers – Tampa Bay Lightning : 6-2
Match 2 – New York Rangers – Tampa Bay Lightning : 3-2
Match 3 – Tampa Bay Lightning – New York Rangers : 3-2
Game 4 on Tuesday, June 7 at Tampa Bay
Game 5 (if necessary) on Thursday, June 9 in New York
Game 6 (if needed) Saturday, June 11 at Tampa Bay
Game 7 (if necessary) on Monday, June 13 in New York
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