Lighting Fall to Devils in Game 3

By: Luke Finlay

The Tampa Bay Lightning headed into Newark, New Jersey with a 2-0 series lead, and would look to get their first road win in the playoffs. They would obviously look to make the series 3-0, but they failed to do so. Let’s take a look at how the Devils would get their first playoff win in 6 years, and how the Lightning failed to extend their series lead.

 

1st Period

This period was classic playoff hockey. It was back and forth forechecks, with each team getting limited scoring chances.

Less than 4 minutes into the game, J.T. Miller gets called for holding the stick and the Lightning go on their penalty kill which has been very good this whole series so far. The Lightning killed off another power play in the series, and the game would remain tied at 0. Not much went on this period besides both teams getting limited scoring chances, like I previously said. However with just over 10 seconds to go in the period, Yanni Gourde draws a penalty and the Lightning would head into the 2nd period with an abundance of time left on their first power play of the game. The period would end the way it started, tied at 0-0.

SCORE

0-0

SHOTS

Lightning: 12

Devils: 8

 

2nd Period

The Lightning began the period with a fresh power play, and they scored on the power play once again in the series and they gain the lead, 1-0. Alex Killorn would get credited with the goal, with Steven Stamkos and Nikita Kucherov getting both assists. The power play goal should’ve given them momentum and it did for the beginning and middle stages. The Devils would eventually go on their second power play, and the Lightning would be successful on their penalty kill once again. Soon after New Jersey got their second power play, the Lighting went on their second power play as well. However, the successful power play wouldn’t have a good showing and would give the Devils more momentum and puck control. That’s how it was for the rest of the period for the Devils, and it would pay off for them. Taylor Hall would be fed ANOTHER goal in front of the net and would tie it 1-1. All 3 of the Devils first goals in each game have been put on their stick right in front of the net. With 4:03 left in the period, Hedman would get called for hooking and the Devils would go on their 3rd power play of the night, and their 2nd in the period. The Lighting penalty kill came up huge again and the Devils failed to take their first lead in the series. With just over a minute in the 2nd, J.T. Miller would draw a penalty and the Lightning would end the period with a power play for the 2nd straight period. Would they convert again?

SCORE

1-1

SHOTS

Lightning: 28

Devils: 21

 

3rd Period

Yes, the Lightning would convert once again and they would take the lead 2-1 heading into the 3rd. That was huge for the Lightning, especially in a huge game like this. Steven Stamkos got credited with his first goal of the series, and Alex Killorn and Nikita Kucherov would get the 2 assists. Sadly, this is where it all went downhill for the Bolts. Cedric Paquette slew footed a Devils defenseman, and Cory Conacher would get called for too many men on the ice. The Lightning would have to kill a 5v3. Like most predicted, the Devils would score the equalizer and the game was tied once again for the Devils. Will Butcher would get his first career playoff goal. The Lightning would fight back but would fail to score on Cory Schneider who was virtually laying down in the crease. However, in that sequence, J.T. Miller would get called for his 2nd penalty of the night and the Devils would go on their 6th power play of the night. The Lightning penalty kill has been immaculate this series and that hasn’t changed, as the Lightning killed off another power play. But, with 7:05 left in the 3rd, Taylor Hall would feed Stefan Noesen with a one-timer and he would covert, and the Devils would take their first lead of the series. 3-2. In the rest of the period, the Devils would go on their 7th power play, and they would fail to convert again. They would also score 2 empty net goals and the Devils would win 5-2.

FINAL SCORE

5-2 Devils

SHOTS

Lightning: 36

Devils: 41