Heading into Game 4, the Tampa Bay Lightning remain in a must-win situation. While they managed to scratch out a win in Game 3 to pull within one game of the Washington Capitals, falling 3-1 in the series is something the Bolts want to avoid. The first two games were utterly dominated by the Caps. Alex Ovechkin continued his brilliant postseason, posting a goal and an assist in each of the first two matchups, while Evgeny Kuznetsov added a goal and four assists.
In Game 3, it was the Lightning’s stars that showed up. Steven Stamkos, Nikita Kucherov and Victor Hedman got Tampa out to a 3-0 lead by the second period, and that proved to be the difference in what was a critical victory for the Bolts. They’ll need more of that production from their top players this Thursday, as a win in Game 4 would draw the Lightning even in the series. Game time is 8 PM ET on NBCSN.
NHL Odds: Stamkos Leads the Way in Washington
With their backs against the wall, Steven Stamkos and the Tampa Bay Lightning came to play in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals. The Captain has been the only point of consistency in the series for Tampa, scoring in each of the first three games and adding an assist. He’ll be called on again this Thursday, as the Lightning attempt to even up the series before heading back home for Game 5.
After carrying the play in all areas of the ice in the first two games, Washington came back down to earth in Game 3. Despite recording 38 shots on net, they weren’t able to capitalize on their chances and managed just two goals against Andrei Vasilevskiy. They’ll be back on the attack again Thursday night, as they try to put a stranglehold on the series.
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